As She Sleeps.

As she sleeps,

She sees him.

They meet in dreams

And it’s like the good old days

Of tipsy laughter

And golden memories.

That time he pushed her

Against the filing cabinet at work

And kissed her until

She was a hot mess.

When she tired of him

Talking on the telephone,

So she invented ways

To cheekily distract.

When he defended her

From the bullies.

He would fight her corner.

Does he remember that?

She sleeps,

Though still feels his touch.

An expert.

A PHD in her body.

She dreams of babies.

Still feels the contractions.

But, she sees him

Holding her hand.

Slumber brings milky smiles

And the smell of Johnson’s Shampoo.

Pure yellow sunshine

In a bottle.

She sees pushchair walks

And dropped toys.

She hears sad wailing.

She recalls the retraced steps.

She dreams

Of family holidays.

Arcade machines

And perfect harbour views.

She dreams of banter

And flirtation.

Her cheeks redden;

The shade of her favourite scarlet cardigan.

As she sleeps,

She forgets

That he’s no longer there.

Until she wakes.

And it’s bittersweet,

Until it’s just bitter.

But, as she sleeps,

She sees him.