Mother's Presence

Our childish whimpers  
were the only sounds  
from my bedroom.  
Would the presence in the hallway  
hear pleasure in our voices?
 
We were innocent as animals,  
committed to our natural urges.
I thought all of eternity must have been his  
during those seconds of my boyfriend's coming.  
 
I knew it was my mother  
standing there listening.  
Did she stand in respect of our joining?  
I sensed acceptance from her shadow.  
Did she feel something of my pleasure?  
 
A single chime from her bedroom  
welcomed the new day as it had  
when she woke with a lover.  
Spooned with my friend, I wondered  
what of this would matter to our lives,  
and what would last.