Dans le Lit, by Richard G. Hagen

In Bed, by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (France) 1892

Dans le Lit                                           
           
Was a time
when sleep was
optional
some slumber
time but light;
kisses or
touching could
ignite us
even deep
in darkness
lasting ‘til
the climax
of sunrise.
These days not
so much; which
is not sad
or less. We
substitute
cuddling for
arousal
and hugs for
throated cries,
because we
remember,
embracing
memories
this bed can
not contain.

Richard G. Hagen

Richard G. Hagen lives in Bloomington, MN, B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College, and graduate work at Kansas University.  He has no MFA and doesn't teach.  Awards, prizes, and international literary praise has eluded him, but he is working on that.  Northography.com, five Talking Stick anthologies, Steam Ticket, Two Review, Whirlwind Review, and Gemini Magazine have shown brilliant insight and published his work.  Writing and studying poetry is his escape from the vagaries of Minnesota weather, and the frustrations of his golf game.