in between

In my half-sleep,
while the moon slips behind the mountains,
and the sun swells beyond the plains,
I live in a world where
you are still here.

I can feel your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your head tucked under my chin,
and I’m home, it's safe:
you’re here.

When the weight of stone settles onto my chest,
and the bitter tang of metal seeps into my teeth,
I wake, eyes open:
no moon, no sun, not day, not night.

Just one more moment in between;
one more breath in yesterday before I fall
tumbling into today.

eph 8/7/06