he is the keeper of the windows
his roses draw up the blinds and
unlock the latches, removing the screens
so that he can climb through and keep safe
quiet in the yellow slumber of my bed
beneath the quilts that make me feel as heavy as I can
so that I can be protected and sleep wholly

one for love and one for friendship
the petals are scattered about my room
a carnation dried and red sleeping in a bucket
the sunrise roses to signify our early morning escapes
pale beneath the clouds
a favorite

and the roses protect my windows
keeping him here keeping them out
leaving my body to moments
leaving my mind to instants
quiet without frustration
the street lamp flickering out outside