to curl your hair around my finger
i hear your breath quiet on your pillow
i see when the cars pass by outside
your nose digs softly into it
by the running strips of shadowed light
so this way i lie awake
wondering if i should step over you
to go to the bathroom
to grab that q-tip
to run along
the insides of my ears
to rid the itch deep in my head
unreachable
though my nails are of considerable length
(i fear the edges might slice something loose)
so this way i lie awake
wondering if i should step over you
for fear of waking you
and for your peace i would
stay quietly and restrained
even as i tangle my limbs
as the drill continues through my ear
inside the knots of my mind.