i am always the last one asleep

your breathing keeps me awake
with worry weaving up my throat

each of your sighs seems like the last

so I lie still as you sleep,
trying not to break the life that
pulls back, quivers, releases, and is retrieved
every time you inhale exhale

my hands are balled and tight
with the dreams I want to share
my nail touches my wrist
and my throat is clenched
with a murmur I need to make

but can’t seem
to push out of my lips