Sleeper

She washes her face-

a soft, cotton pad, camomile cleanser,

then rinse in warm water.

Brushes her teeth- two minutes on setting 2.

Use the interdental stick to remove extra debris.

Gels and moisturisers on, hair brushed through,

Lavender- 3 drops under the pillow.

Gentle yoga moves and stretches to aid good sleep-

Five minutes.

Soft socks, warm pyjamas.

Read for about twenty minutes.

Light off. Roll onto left side. Left leg brough up towards chest.

And let the mind wander.

-

He pushes open the door, flicks a light on in the bathroom,

Quickly scrubs his teeth with an old, worn brush.

Puts on whatever pyjamas are hanging on the hook.

Slides in.

Wafts the covers a bit.

Lies straight in a line on old, flattened pillows.

Breathing starts to slow and deepen.

Two minutes. Asleep. Doesn't stir or wake through the night.

-

She tries to let her mind wander. He begins gently snoring

And the noise startles her each time she finds herself drifting.

She tosses. Turns. Sighs. Picks up her phone.

She needs the toilet. Again. Three times before sleeping.

Keeps her eyes closed to maintain sleepiness.

Slides in as silently as possible.

He has rolled over and is quiet. Then-

Occasional breaths pushed through lips irritate her.

She pokes him, hoping he'll stop. He does. After a while.

-

She drifts. Eventually.

Wakes two or three times in the night.

He doesn't. He sleeps. Deeply.

The Sleeper.

***