Flattened Mattress

We watched the air mattress rise from the floor,

like bread in the oven.

Inflating our embrace and supporting our

buoyant slumber while creating a

sanctuary where it was planted,

just for the night.

The next morning I felt my spine fall

to solid ground and the hiss of a motor

emptying air from my dreams,

necessary but

unaccepted.

As we roll up the mattress and stuff them

into the worn storage bag,

I am deflated.