And elegantly dressed

Lying there on my side
Drowning in the noise of the world
— What are you doing?
– I don’t know.
She is looking at me from where she sits
On the floor, leaning against the wall
It reminds me of the cave
— I don’t like to see you this way.
Blink
She turns to show me the profile of her face
The line of forehead, nose, jaw, neck and shoulder
– You’re so beautiful.
— You always say that.
Blink
— Do you know that you’re beautiful?
So I look away
– It’s not that easy.
She exhales through her nose, a laugh perhaps
— But it is.
She gets up
Walks to where I am
Kneels by my side
– We find ourselves in this pose so often.
— Do we.
But without upward inflection
She lowers her head to my face
Touches her lips to my cheekbone
— Patience, my little ghost.
Exhale
— Patience.