I put you to bed
and stay at your side
as you rest your head.
I watch you breathe
knowing that soon
I must leave.
The rhythm of your chest
evens the beat
of my heart at rest.
You twitch your nose
as my pen
leaks its prose
onto the empty page
that traps my words
in their cage.
And you rest your head
as I leave your side
and put myself to bed.
© Autumn Siders 2016