Lying next to the effortless choreography of you,

Being with your breathing and your stirring and your warmth.

Knowing that you’re dreaming and feeling your being as you lie sleeping.

 

On the edge of awake but still dancing on the stage of your sleep,

The unconscious dance of you, the perfect elaboration that’s lying right there.

I want you to stay at peace, to stay fluid and free,

unfettered, flattered by the footlights,

the perfect steps of your sleeping being.

 

You moan, a slight grumble as you roll,

I know that you’re about to tumble off the stage,

And as you fall you’ll have maybe a moment of recognising your peace.

You’ll smile and mean it but…

then you’ll remember the aches and the exhaustion and the endless medication

you’ll remember what’s it’s like being you in a body full of steroidal stumbling,

a body that ought to be dancing.

It’s my dream that you’re still dancing.