Passing Knowledge (Poetry)

I use to watch you sleep
and measure each unconscious breath
with smiles.
For it seemed your body drained
itself — a paler shell remained
guileless and easier
to love
this unworldly unstained version
curled in the temporary womb
of bed
your timeless brow unlined
by misunderstandings
and emotions held subliminal.

And yet
as I traced those planes of light
and shadows on your face
each pulsing nerve that made
your eyelids twitch
lashed down in private curves
I sensed your dreams migrate
leave without me.

And intuition jabbed awake
whispered forbodings
but much too late
the knowledge passed
your sighs were already making
their soft inevitable
escape.