single tenant of a double bed

half-asleep
a hand slips under the corner of
a vacant pillow
feeling the weight of an absent head
waiting
to warm the curve of that neck
one morning (hopefully) soon

fingers missing the clutch of yours
they dream
of the warmth and the calm they’ll find
nestled snug in your palm
half-awake
oh how they ache for the return of
that tender grasp

***originally published on 28 Jan 2005