You insist
I let you stay on the phone
my four hours driving

Home.

I acquiesce.
i let you be strong.
i don’t argue.
i listen

to you drift
to sleep, anyway.
i listen

to your deepening breath,
your dulcet murmurs,
a snore or two.
I listen

to your defiant
sounds of sleep
and smile
and know
and see

it is love.