Do not become in darkness

what you would in a fire

for something that is built to withstand fire

is not meant to live in darkness.

For when it is cold, 

you cannot be built for heat.

Become, instead, a beacon

to brighten the room,

or, perhaps,

a cat

to hide in the darkest corners

to see in the nothing

the outline of what turned out the light.

Or, do not become these things.

Become, instead, your sleeping form

in our shared bed,

so I may watch your sleeping form:

the outline of your breath,

the rise and fall of your back,

the soft expansion of your lungs.

Become your body

so I may turn on the light

to see how your eyelashes flutter

like the gentlest fire

in the dark.