waking inches from you, your warm breath on my lips, i struggle through heavy eyelids and closed pupils to make out your form. the streetlamp outside creating the contrast needed to view you in your most beautiful state. it only takes a moment for the dilation to reveal the details i seek. you sleep on, unaware of my gaze. your chest expands and contracts with a steady rhythm. my eyes trace the contour of your earlobe against the white cotton and follow your jaw to your pursed lips. i fight the urge to touch your cheek, to run my fingers across your chin, around your neck and up to that soft, pale skin behind your ear. i concentrate on the fine hairs between your brow and follow the strong line above your closed eye to your temple, tense with concentration on an imaginary task.

my focus changes to the slow slope of your shoulder, the thin strap of your night shirt interrupting its graceful line. light is bruised behind the rise of your collarbone, flexed across your body, and hints at the soft curves of your breasts, heaving with each breath. your waist falls behind your arm and returns to your hip. the line follows your leg until it disappears beneath the thin sheet that allows a modicum of modesty in the radiating heat of july. i am entranced by the beauty of your silhouette in the pale, synthetic light. i am amazed that you are here, inches away, sleeping in full trust that i will be there when you wake. i cannot bear to close my eyes.

i run my hand across your face and reach to kiss your cheek.