SLEEPING
by linda r. o’connell

It’s late and I catch
a glimpse of you
sleeping,
after a long hard day.
Exhaustion has captured
you, once again.
Your breathing
soft and steady.
Your chest rhythmically
rising and falling
with every beat
of your heart.
I undress,
and get ready for bed,
all the time
watching you,
content in a
dream world,
worries at rest
for the moment.
I gaze lovingly
at you before
dimming the light.
You look so sweet,
like a young boy
once again.
Have your lashes
always been this long?
Your lips pure
and oh so supple,
your body
strong and muscular,
yet so unaware
right now.
Still, a boy
within a man.