It’s always the same even though so often different
if you know what I mean, I dream:
I dream there’s no time to alphabetize and box the books
but I hurry, the movers are coming! and I am frightened
what stays behind will be lost
forever, the words forgotten
I dream the other passengers are certain I am the only one
who can land the plane but they are wrong don’t you see?
not knowing how to fly. They plead they panic
but I will not reach for the controls, I simply can’t
what’s this? I dream the sky is black with birds, too many
it’s impossible to get them all fed before the storm
already I see many small bodies
wet with rain
In my dream the apartment is on fire, my mother in her chair
won’t let me rescue her unless I first find her yellow robe
her favorite, lost somewhere in a jumble of clothes
that would fit no one
It’s all the same it always is I am startled awake
by unseen voices (I may know who you are)
who sing out failure, failure
