SEE HOW SHE SLEEPS.

A NURSE WANDERS A WARD AT NIGHT.

See how she sleeps.

Eyes closed, eyelids
sealed by tiredness.

Wonder what she dreams,
what day's events plague
her in her slumber world?

See how her hair is splayed
against the pillow,
how the mouth slight ajar
revealing pink of tongue,
and white of small teeth.

Whom does she dream of,
who plays with her in her
sleeping realm?

What colours surround her
as she dreams, dark and dull
or bright as sun or moon?

Her breathing is of a gentle kind,
the slow rise and fall of her breasts.

Wonder who her lover
is if one at all;
who may kiss or caress
in dreams' hold?

How still her hand upon
the cover of the bed,
slim fingers unmoving,
but at rest.

I tiptoe on,
look at other patients
on my round,
soft I walk,
make no sound.