Waking up Early

by Jeffrey Johns
(Edinburgh, UK)

Waking up early to a silent house,
Waking up slowly to the room’s half-dark
The world begins to form itself anew
Beneath dream-ashes lies the glowing spark
Of lives I’ve dreamt and dreams I knew -
A frugal life in warm memory doused.-

The hardest part of every day
Is being separated from your side
As with a scalpel blade
Leaving a trail of blood that might -
Like breadcrumbs - lead me back to slide
Beside your warmth again at night.

I still remember what it’s like to have your void
Sleeping beside me for years on end
Keeping me fixed and helping me avoid
The future lurking just around the bend.

Waking up early to a silent house
Walking slowly towards the life ahead
A cup of coffee washes down the dreams
To make room for newer dreams to spread
Their claw-like wings and flutter - as it seems -
In little swarms inside my head
Incessant; yet no louder than a mouse.-

The sweetest part of every day
Is watching you float peacefully along
Adrift but not astray
Braving the bedsheets’ raging storm
Until our baby’s laughter-song
Beacons you safely back home.

I still remember what it’s like to have your void
Sleeping beside me for years on end
Keeping me company and helping me avoid
A future misconstructed and misspent.