Almost

The man who slept beside her
continued his puffa pah
train-waiting-in-station sounds,
buttermint breath exhaling
into the amber night.

Somewhere through the dark
it became warm enough
for her to throw off
the velvet coverlet.

The warmth revealed
petal after petal,
till she almost felt
the blessing of sun
as the morning rose,

almost grasped
the complete surrender of dew
to its call.