Before I woke this morning,

            I dreamed that you lie
            next to me.
            Your body on your side
            with nothing of your skin
            to hide.
^
^
            You were as beautiful
            as the whitest flower ,
            my mother’s favorite.
            It was one of those dreams–
            so real it lingered past waking,
            taking my breath away
            it seems,
            even now.