Awake

Awake and too aware
of your arm draped over my body

as if claiming territory
for yourself.

I nearly crawl
our of my skin

waiting to escape
from this falling

this bottom dropping out
from under everything
I hadn’t already lost.

I slip away smoothly
from your sleeping

into the cool darkness
toward another bed

where anonymous pillows become comfort
I wedge into the length of my back,

under my delicate neck,
and between my arms;

my lonely knees.

Here, in my healing pose,
I am learning to fly solo.

Learning to spread
my clipped wings.