Waking Up

His mother rouses him as she leaves for work, "get up it’s 8:30” Or maybe she lets him sleep. He’s fragile now, erratic. I think that’s why I’m allowed to be here. His sleep breaches like contractions gaining frequency. He stirs and pulls me In with demanding and angry conviction. Once I’m caught, he’s pacified As long as I stay quiet and still, I can sinfully revel in staying alive in the possession of a bear.