The Lioness

Don't wake the sleeping lioness She breathes moist breath into the cool of the shade in the morning. Wide eyed child that liked to watch her sleep, Wanting , though fear full, to lay beside her warm body, Peered through the door and sat on the corner of the bed, Crept closer and lay her head on a vacant pillow; Face facing face, not too close, never too close. Composing herself carefully into the position of the lion's body , The child would bury her head beneath the adjacent pillow And listen for the rhythm of a heart beat through the sheets, Trying and trying to sync with the rhythm of another's heart. Inhale, Exhale, To fill, to empty, To repeat again.