Your warm breath,
moist and scented
with peppermint
and last nights wine,
slips past my ear.

My cheek, pressed
tightly to your breast
feels the muted beat
of your inner life.

I dare not sleep
for if I do
when I awake
I'll not find you,
beside me.

You will be gone
from out my sight
and simply vanished
in darkest night,
while I slept.