The Dark before the Dawn (I.P.)

A kettle – singing 
on the stove
Bread – proving 
in the oven
Frost – feathering
the window

Cat – legs akimbo
twitching as she dreams
and somewhere
far off
a dog barks
A votive
burning on the sill

you – the igniter
of the flame
Your book – open
at page ninety
Your t-shirt 
on the floor

You, in my bed – 
precious present
of your presence 
on this long night’s
journey into day

You – blowing 
out the votive...
rekindling
from your breath –
reluctant to die
its little death

You – the panacea 
for all things grey...
the light
of my life