Bedtime.

I feel it

- a nudge of safety -

in freshly laundered sheets
and fleece blankets

in the rise and fall of a
bare chest lined with scars

in an array of stuffed animals
tucked gently to the side

in the wonder and awe
of childhood fairytales

in the white noise that quiets
any remaining stress

I feel what you once offered
[even with you gone]