Sleeping Beauty

Her dark burnished skin
glows against the golden sheets.
She is peaceful in sleep.
I think of fauns
and little bluebirds that might find her in the woods
if she wasn’t in my bed.
The dark red of the warm coverlet
invites me toward her
and the warm pool of heat
that her body radiates.

I touch the curve of her cheek with reverence,
and lightly press a feather of a kiss
against the ruby of her lips.
Sleeping beauty does not wake.
Her dark curling lashes
rest undisturbed against her ebony cheeks.
I leave her to her dream a while longer.