I stepped into the room late last night

because late is the time I keep

you were sleeping warm as coal

in a pocket of comfort and white sheets 



but you don't startle anymore when I step into the room

though the hour is later than midnight

and neither window can place a moon. 



"I missed you," you say

and it sounds like a promise

when whispered half asleep

your skin still damp with sweat

from thoughts your dreams refused to keep 



I follow my memory to a switch on a light

"Shut your eyes" my voice cut short

when darkness turns bright 



"Do you love me?" you say

but love is too familiar a word

for in this bed 10,000 times a phrase already heard

but, "Yes, I love you" speaks my reply

though I know I failed myself and you for not

matching how I feel with words of higher wealth 



I know its lonely in the world tonight

because here is more than what's deserved

and the imbalance can't be summed in black and white

cause "love's" too familiar a word.