In rumpled sleep you lie

startled by imaginary passers by.

Are you dreaming of ice cream

melting in your hands?

With a gentle smile you sleep,

keeping all the promises you’ve meant to keep;

Free from all the world’s

unrelenting demands.

Then, pushing sleep aside,

you awaken hazy eyed

and smile,

Till the shadows

from your dimples grow so long,

I can no longer see your eyes.

I peer into

the darkness where

I last saw your face,

and I smile.

Summer 1971