Wakening

Faster than a human heartbeat, it ticks.

I'ts often the first sound I hear on wakening.

A maddening demand to rise, before the sun

has even had a chance to lance through the glass.

When shadows still linger, teasing sleep to stay

and dally here just a little bit longer.

But, beneath the incessant metallic tocking

I hear the soft murmurs of wordless stirring

in a room across the hall, and to the left.

And although my mind knows it is not possible,

my heart feels the tiny breaths that reassure me,

I can laze here just a few more minutes

to watch you as you sleep.

© 2011 Tamera Dobbins