nightmares

Sleep pulls at me
Like a Ford Tundra
I can't resist

I don't want to

I know that
You'll be there
Waiting

Ready
To wrap your arms
Around me once more

But in my dreams
You're not leaving
We have time

The setting varies
Like a set of postcards
They're all beautiful

We can stare
Into each other's eyes
Uninterrupted

We can laugh
As we play pranks
On each other

There's no worrying
About how much longer
We have together

And then dread
Creeps over me
Like bedbugs

I can hear
My mother's voice
Calling

Trying to wake me
From my reverie
As if it's a nightmare

Suddenly
You're leaving
Again

And I'm drowing
In my own tears
Of sorrow

As I wake up
I try not
To let her hear

The pain
In my voice

It's not her fault

Once she leaves
I'm back
Back in my dream

Thankfully

But the phone rings
And jolts me awake
My face still wet

And this time
There's no
Going back

I'll have to wait
Until twilight

Nightmares are spies
Hidden in the corners of your dreams
Unseen, untouched, unremarkable
Careful observers they are
Noticing what makes you cringe
Scream and tremble in terror
And then. . .
They pounce
Latching on to your weakness
Making you tremble, cringe, and scream
Until you are terrified out of your mind
Then they slink back into the shadows
Those crafty nightmare spies