Fast asleep

Sophie chuckled happily

Girlishly

She dreamed of walking golden labradors

On wind whipped solitary beaches

Autumn rain siling

Laughing smiling.

 

Throwing balls into the waves

For the dogs to chase

And after the dogs shook off the sea

And their paws were dried

 

Breakfast of fried eggs

And kidneys

Toast and butter

Steaming coffee

Stoved up by a beaming husband lover.

 

Martin's arm was numb

Crushed beneath her back

His fingers flaccid

Against the breast he tightly cupped

Nibbled and sucked

In last night’s heat of passion.

 

Sophie stirred

Shifting her weight

Leaving space

Martin withdrew his lifeless arm.

 

Easing from the bed

Crept into pants, shirt, shoes and socks

Swigged vodka dregs

Pocketed unopened Durex

Ribbed for extra pleasure-

Bought to show he cared and

Propped a note beside the clock

"Bye, Hon, the fortnight was fun."

 

He lifted the covers for a lingering look

And as his fingers tinkered

One last time

The newly sown

Child seed

Vaulted within her

 

The bedroom door quietly shut

 

Sophie's dream turned

To summer walks in yellow sand sunrise

Golden Labradors splashing

A buttercup baby

Giggling on her shoulders

And Martin in an apron

Frying kidneys at an Aga