the gentle darkness of the cave
and I must
speak to people
and listen to kind words
but my heart craves sleep
and solitude
and warm blankets
and your arms wrapped around me
in furry cocoon
and your lips in kiss upon my brow
and I do not want to seem unfriendly
or ungrateful
but I crave the quiet of the cave
and its gentle darkness
The 2River View, 3_4 (Summer 1999)