before it ends

I put my head to his chest

and relish in every single heartbeat,

each sound an unending delight,

the warmth of his heart melting the ice in my veins

and setting mine into motion,

his skin feels like satin against my cheek

I feel his blood rush in his body

in endless loops

like an infinity of not yet broken dreams,

I let my fingertips brush against his arm

and curl by his side

like a scared animal too wild to ever feel safe,

scars too deep

to share his peaceful slumber,

he rests under my love,

his slow breaths bringing relief to my strained muscles

and I wonder silently,

how long before they take him away from me,

before I am ripped away

from his arms,

before my nails drag across the floor,

leaving lines

like ragged wounds

in a blazing flesh

how long before once again

I am denied this moment

...