She lay tangled In my bed-clothes.

I watched trapezoids of summer light

make motes alive to the warmth. 

I leant against the wall and

watched her breathing,

pale and shallow her rising breasts,

her hair webbed with sleep and

gripped to her belly my gown 

since last I bathed. 

I lowered my case-

and loved her more.

re-edit and foto T Carroll