AFTER THE LOVING

Let me lay my head upon your breast
and feel the beat of your dear heart
slowly matching that within my chest
as the sweaty heat slowly departs.

Goose bumps dimple in the dark
while quickened breaths begin to slow.
A dog outside begins to bark
which won't affect the afterglow.

We'll talk of inconsequential things
and laugh of events in the past
and the honesty which old love brings
as facades fall away at last.

Our fingers trace each other's curves
in comfortable familiarity
tracing the routes of passion's nerves
and years of loving memories.

Then sweat's sheen dries and our skin chills
causing covers to hide you from me
and almost against our wills
sleep finally comes and sets us free.