Tuesday, 1/18 -- Indulge me for a minute.

Take your hand and close my eyes,
Nestle me in your pocket where the warm lint collects,
I'll wiggle in deeper for the ride.
I want you to take me far away,
Somewhere warm and dry, someplace safe and secluded.
I want to be lost from the familiar for a while.
Take care of me. Let me rest from my fight.
I need to heal.

Find me a feather bed that envelops me,
Unbelievably soft and light, cool and warm at the same time.
I want to float on that cloud where I'm comfortable no matter how I lay.
A bed that cradles me like I was a careless child,
Or a chick in a nest,
Or a bear deep in his hollow.

Light a fire in the fireplace so the warmth permeates the room,
Not just by brute heat, but by glow and tender light.
I want to feel that light on my face with my eyes closed,
Dreaming of the Sun on a random July morning.
I'll dream of all the sunfish we'll throw back in the lake.

Bring me long-cooked, thick beef stew poured over mashed potatoes.
Oven fresh crusty bread that leaves my beard dotted.
Butter and eggs, a fresh brown sausage.
Toasted sandwiches with melted cheese.
Coffee that tingles my toes.
Feed me, let me belly swell Smiles of contentment as I sink deeper into bed.

Open the curtains to show me the snow falling on evergreens.
Birds fluttering about a feeder. A squirrel cracking a nut.
Unknown tracks across the lawn, crisscrossing off into the woods.
Let me see life carry on. Let me see it grow and live all on its own.

The pills and the serums will be there too,
Doing their just and righteous job.
Slashing at my sickness. Fighting the good fight.
Rub my head so I don't notice the pain.
Rub my scars so they don't pull at my skin.
Rub my back so I can sleep for chance to dream.

Leave enough space for my love to join me,
Nestled closely on the bed. Melting together as we float,
Fly away together, let the wind carry us.
We'll dream of our future, and count each other's eyelashes.
We are one. We are beautiful. We are lost.
Whispering softly in my ear,
Even if she has to lie to me,
That everything will be all right.