Preconscious

Double-barrelled robin song splits

Fuzzy REM nonsense, full bladder gone quiet

Wake to perfect stillness. Balanced and satisfied

Stretcher and down comfort,

Tender squeaks of dawn birds

Slender tarp skin holding for

Staccato taps of rain.

Steadied. Heart beats full, alert

Lie in readiness, mental limbs prepare to move

As deliberate as that sickle-tailed insect,

Bronze, gold-tipped orthopteran

I found inching forward on the doorframe last night

Slow

Leg by leg

Tibia,

Careful footpad placement

So I make my way toward your heart

Keeping upright,

Barely in step with head,

Heart

Spirit. I Ignore down

Slackline precision. Eyes ahead

Blindly toeing each step

Cannot count what it would cost

To lose you and fall.