At the stroke br of midnight br I stroked br your back br as you slept br naked in the oppressive summer heat. br br The fan purred contentedly br at the foot of the bed. br Your cheeks moved br in and out br like tiny bellows. br br I placed br a row br of kisses br (salty warm) br along the length and breadth of you. br br You didn't stir. br br I wanted to wake you, br To take you in my arms. br br But instead, br I turned out the light.