Dawn’s first light shivers
through half-opened blinds,
creating new patterns
on our old blanket.

The rise and fall of your chest
tethers me to the moment
tighter than the memory
of your warm embrace.

I get up anyway
and make the coffee.

An aubade is a morning love song when lovers part…this isn’t strictly an aubade, but it’ll do. I wanted to capture the ordinariness of a longtime marriage in the old blanket, the warmth of physical intimacy, the sacrifice of loving service. I’ll try a few more in the coming weeks.