Sweet southern sun spilled through the cabin door

And made the woodwork golden as it spread.

I set my feet down gently on the floor

And teetered off the edge of our shared bed.

She looked so calm that I could not believe

How one so still could rob me of my sleep.

The night before, she’d lain awake so long

That I had drifted off in blissful peace.

When finally she slept, out sprung her claws.

Her snores then peeled the paint from all the walls.

Sleep-deadened arms pulled blankets to the side

And dreams flung limbs into subconscious flight.

Leave sleeping beasts alone, the wise ones say,

But little girls are beasts ‘til break of day.