THE CYCLES OF THE MOON

1. I turn over in my bed
and rub the sleep away,
and greet nothing.
I attack the world as it comes to me.

2. I turn over in my bed
and I am startled up-right
by a maternal face.
She counts the seconds ticking by my bed-side.

3. I turn over in my bed
and I turn over again,
to hug the pillow.
But the sun will melt my limbs awake,
and burn my eyelids open.

4. I turn over in my bed
and an arm slips around my waist,
a face plants kisses on my neck,
and there will be no more sleeping.

5. I turn over in my bed
and reach for my lighter,
and the promise of coffee
wills me out of bed like a vampire
from the kitchen.

6. I turn over in my bed
and he turns over too.
My arm goes around his waist,
and we pretend we're sleeping
until the alarm goes off.

7. I turn over in my bed
and hug the vacant pillow.
The face in the mirror attacks me.
I throw back the sheets with a sigh of disdain.

8. I turn over in my bed
and a voice coos seductively
from the radio.
I stalk the world as it runs from me.