Grizzly Bear

I lie Restless Surrounded by a pitch black world of bird cries that squeak and creak through these paper thin walls. Sweat coats the inside of my thighs, And I peel one leg out from under the other and place it on top, Only to do it another forty-five thousand times in the next fifty minutes. The A/C kicks on, Chasing away the thick, muggy Kansas air, And humming a soft lullaby. At last! My eyes grow heavy and sink. Half open. A quarter of the way open. An eighth. My train of thought comes to a slow crawl Into the station for the next eight hours. The room grows silent. I am at peace. Just about to doze... Then. It begins. Beside me, A low rasp, a plea for air rises from your lungs and transforms Into a livid growl. A beast starving for oxygen! I am startled by the disturbance, Frightfully jump starting my train of thought. Off it goes, at full speed. The monster inside your lungs belts out in a blind rage! Yet you are oblivious. I shake you softly, Press my lips to your forehead, And suggest that you lie on your side. Silence at last. For now. You snore like a wild grizzly, my darling. But I still love you.