another world

encapsulated by the night,

we are cradled in our bed

surrounded by the sounds

of a fan across the room.

you are curled

as small as possible

with the comforters

tightly tucked

around your neck.

in this dim light

I can barely see

the details of your face:

tiny black lashes

doing the dance of sleep,

furrowed brows

trying to see deeper

into a dream.

I am merely inches

away from your face

in another world

listening to you breathe.

your body releases

a wave of warmth

it is this heat

that addicts my life.

not that I need

the temperature,

my craving is for the body

who conveys it.

I wrap my left arm around

you to hold onto this life-force,

to protect you from

all your demons

as well as all my own.