and so i laid down to rest in my bed under the soft duvet, reaching over to my nightstand where i collect my comforting treasures
and pick up my favorite book that contains the chapter i revisit most
flipping through the creased and wrinkled pages well loved across many moon cycles
caressing the single tear stains that lay across the borders
until i get to the page with the corner that stays turned down
and i reread the passage about a girl who loves a boy
and the boy loves her back
and he laughs at her jokes and strokes her hair
and whispers kind things as they lay together hand in hand under the stars
playing songs that remind them of the past and invigorate their future
my eyes trace the letters as i rehearse the passage out loud, reading on ceremony but feeling from memory
reliving the dreams it implanted when the page was freshly turned
soaking in the last few moments of hope
until its time to sleep and start the day again
when the memory is done, and i’ve gotten my fix
i close the book and place it carefully back on its altar
as a tear rolls down my cheek
joining the stained pillow where my head rests each night
ready to do it all again tomorrow