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While I’m Sleeping

By Gary Greene

I imagine
that as I sleep at night
she may come to sit in her chair
or lie on her couch,
so I leave on a superstitious light
and ensure both are clear,
as there's nothing to be gained
by upsetting a ghost.

So my heart doesn't break
completely,
I made up a rule
and that is
she can't allow me to see her.
I haven't worked out why,
exactly,
but it must be true,
as I haven't.

I check for impressions
from time to time,
but there are only the marks
left by my own hand
where I've smoothed the velour,
which I do
to make it easier to see
some errant sign she might leave,

never on purpose,
as (another rule)
that's not allowed either,
but maybe,
one early morning
a tear will slide down her cheek
unnoticed
as she hurries to depart
when she hears me
quietly coming down the stairs,
and in her haste
a small, damp spot
will be admitted into evidence.