Renee Butner particularly loves the ocean, cooking, painting, her three young grandsons and dark chocolate. She and her husband own a Kilwins franchise in Winston-Salem, NC, where they reside, so this fondness for chocolate has a perfect outlet. She is a member of the NC Haiku Society and Winston-Salem Writers and has had works published in numerous publications. Her website is www.reneebutner.wordpress.com.
Waltz
Nightly I dip
and turn in a slow waltz
with insomnia.
He spins me in his arms,
I grasp his shoulder
too tightly
and his clasp at my waist
is firm
and unyielding.
We glide and revolve
in and out of a haze
of consciousness.
I attempt a monotonous
count in my head
backwards,
forwards.
He the victor,
I the spoils.
There is a tantalizing lightening
in the dusky sky
to the east.