the sheets

Damp Sheets
[jdw 7/19/10]

I.
Damp sheets
in the afternoon,
scented with his effort,
and hers.
Twined around
their legs, tangled.
His hand
measuring the weight
of her generous breast.
The cup runneth over.

II.
Damp sheets
just after midnight,
bind her ankles.
She struggles.
Heart thudding.
She trips, running
toward something,
or away?
She can never remember
but it's always the same.

III.
Damp sheets
not quite dawn,
her fragmented spirit
woken by sobs.
She moves to comfort,
but realizes that the tears
were her own. Then,
remembering, her nose
searches the sheets,
but his scent is gone.

IV
Damp sheets
the next morning
draped over the clothes line
drying in the sun
Tonight
she will lie in
crisp, clean sheets
Hopeful, that
when she closes her eyes,
sleep will come.