Are you sleeping,
He asked with dubious sincerity...
Since I was lying down,
Eyes closed,
Mouth slack,
Breathing shallow,
My book fallen on the floor...
He knew I had nodded off.
But he wanted something,
So he asked again,
This second time louder,
And with a cough...
So I jolted awake.
Then he apologized
For getting me up...
And asked when lunch would be ready.