Love You Forever

He is asleep

but I am awake—

struck with the

thought that one day

this could all be gone,

this being together,

this youthfulness.

One day I may not be

able to lay here as I do,

admiring the contour of his shoulder

against the brilliant stream of summer’s night

tumbling in through the thin opening

of the curtain. I may not be able to trace

the line of his back,

just like we used to during those first years:

Ok, it’s my turn now …

guess what I’m spelling!

When he kisses me,

I let it linger a little longer,

press into the softness of his pillow lips,

and take in the sweet smell of his skin

that I love so much,

as if I am about to swallow him up.

This moment.

Just a bit more.

I take my finger and start tracing

the alphabet on his back.

Love you forev—

and then I am asleep

before I can finish.