The sleeping one is erect and mumbles. The room went Arctic overnight and his foot peeks outside the covers. You leave his warm slumber five minutes before the new hour, stomach growling, and possible moon somewhere. There's slight moisture still. He'll later say he saw you leave. The day will happen soon enough— peanut butter sandwich, dropped knife, tote bag of graded papers. Flossing in a colder room, planning Jefferson myth-debunking, washing hair—the man's sleep stretches without boundaries, rolled to middle, as if it were his bed, thick lashes, even beard, and no concern for pillow. He doesn't know it's October and you are happy.
From Rising by Farrah Field. Copyright © 2009 by Farrah Field. Used by permission of Four Way Books. All rights reserved.