calm me down
with whispers –
stories of the road
times you called my name
I heard you clear
above the dreams
of might have been
and where you’ll rest
tonight –
as I with plans
one day
to hold you near

silence stales
the cigarette
lipstick coffee cup
clean the break
of one more living shared
long before the sunset
knew to save
her paints –
your fingerprints
were glowing everywhere

dream the stars
from going
with questioning just so
a universe
where love is felt
the same
as sleep along the highway
counting back the miles
– stirred awake
by whispers
of your name

. . .