3 AM

I heard a barking at 3 AM
as the sun rose in my dream
soft but loud
like the humming of the television show we fell asleep to.

I heard a barking at 3 AM
It was hard and sharp
and the dogs bared their teeth to me-
a warning of something dangerous and sacred to come.

I heard a barking at 3 AM
felt something cold and wet on my face
like a thousand dogs waking me from my deep slumber
or the rain seeping through the ceiling we never fixed.

And the barking at 3 AM never stops
even as I toss and turn or wrap my leg around yours.

When I awake and you kiss the soft wetness off my face
I can't tell if that something is coming or going or already there watching us sleep.