A Day and Night Dream
by michael cahill
it never escapes me
my dream
day and night
clinging … even desperately
when force fights hope into a corner
preying with reality’s many weapons
mysterious time
no doubt oblivious
to itself
an unconscious irony
unaffected, for it will always be
doubt’s truth
creator of scenarios
each with their own reality
battles to the death
miracles of life redeemed
ignorance
oxygen in water
water full of salt
salt absorbing water
heat evaporating the last drop
a pillar of salt remains
on the flats pointing to nowhere
an ocean never flows
through a valley void of tomorrows
but still
it never escapes me
when I dream
day and night
I close my eyes
and
high upon the mountain
it is cold
I pause to consider
Heaven’s lack of warmth
is it vacant …
the distraction rides a snowflake
carefully chosen from several
different from the others
special
warmth comes from somewhere
I believe it is inside of someone
and melting surprises the mountainside
it shivers and comes to life
there is more warmth
more melting
more shivering
I awaken and the dream continues
I stand at the bottom of the cliff
looking up
the cliff is dry and lined with foliage
a drop of melted mountain snow
plunges from the cliff
to my waiting tongue
I’m not practical
or even sensible
I understand frantic pursuit
I relish ultimate pleasure
loud joy
raucous release
there are those who smile
remembering
still I dream
and it never escapes me
now, together
I pause to your surprise
I search for your soul
with deliberation I move
and urge you to move in response
focus
every cell connecting
acknowledging each connection
soul searing soul
slow circles
leaning far to the right
then the left
rising up and forward
connected and acknowledging
neither escaping
neither trapped
another drop
another
a stream
a torrent
more than I can consume
I don’t stop
the mountain rumbles
the world buckles in laughter
doubt is unknown
time is unaware
I dream day and night
it never escapes me
I know your name
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