Alison Cassidy - 3.00am

I lie beside you
pillow propped
waiting
for you to take
the next breath

I try to stop
my racing mind
and stuff
the old fear
like wadding
deep inside

the old fear
of croupy childhood nights
when David
stood on tiptoe
in the red cot
reaching for breath

and mum
in her nightie
poured steam
from the kettle

Alison Cassidy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/3-00am/