VARIATION ON THE WORD SLEEP

I would like to watch you sleeping,


which may not happen.


I would like to watch you,


sleeping. I would like to sleep


with you, to enter


your sleep as its smooth dark wave


slides over my head


~~~~~~~





and walk with you through that lucent


wavering forest of bluegreen leaves


with its watery sun & three moons


towards the cave where you must descend,


towards your worst fear


~~~~~~~~





I would like to give you the silver


branch, the small white flower, the one


word that will protect you


from the grief at the center


of your dream, from the grief


at the center I would like to follow


you up the long stairway


again & become


the boat that would row you back


carefully, a flame


in two cupped hands


to where your body lies


beside me, and as you enter


it as easily as breathing in


~~~~~~~~





I would like to be the air


that inhabits you for a moment


only. I would like to be that unnoticed


& that necessary.

~~ Margaret Atwood



She's a world renowned author, but, I expect, even better at poetry. If you dig around, you'll find more.