I lie beside you <br />pillow propped <br />waiting <br />for you to take <br />the next breath <br /> <br />I try to stop <br />my racing mind <br />and stuff <br />the old fear <br />like wadding <br />deep inside <br /> <br />the old fear <br />of croupy childhood nights <br />when David <br />stood on tiptoe <br />in the red cot <br />reaching for breath <br /> <br />and mum <br />in her nightie <br />poured steam <br />from the kettle<br /><br />Alison Cassidy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/3-00am/
