balmy skin

foreign pillow

shirt twisting around and squeezing my throat

sheets are one too many days unwashed

body, crinkles and contorts

try finding peace on my back

my side

my belly

mattress pushes against me in protest

we fight through the night

waking in a pool of thick malaise

body is made of dry, old wicker

iron teeth lock together

creaking and groaning and sighing

i arise