Dream

an ocean of sleep-
the receding tide leaves a
tangled mat of dreams
–
dandelion seeds-
bare whispers
of my mind

on the edge of sleep-
hours before my alarm rings
each noise a crisis
–
suddenly awake-
a murderer
or my cat?

the blankets askew-
as you start to fall asleep
we share the same breath
–
dream talking-
I lie beside you
and listen

late afternoon sun
shadows of rhododendrons
dance upon my wall
–
woolen socks-
warm feet on
the windowsill

white foam at her lips-
on ebon hooves she gallops
through the endless night
–
riderless-
the bearer of
secret horrors

sleep winds through the trees-
a woodland lullaby of
peepers and croakers
–
a veil of clouds-
crickets and frogs
escort the moon

can’t tell from here if
I’m inside looking out or
outside looking in
–
midnight musing-
maybe I’m the one
in the mirror

sitting ‘neath the moon-
entranced by the graceful curve
of your bare shoulder
–
caramel skin-
silver moonlight
in your hair

late winter sunlight-
dawn paints my bedroom walls gold
an hour too early
–
almost spring-
awake before
my coffee pot

a flame extinguished-
I conjure up the darkness
to reclaim your soul
–
whisps of smoke-
a mirror
in the dark