Cressida

In those downy visions 'twixt wakening and dreams
When the air tastes like honey
And my pillow is deep
I wander through forests in sweet, earthy greens
As my eyelids grow heavy
And I sink into sleep

The daylight creeps downward 'til shadow is seamed
Where the dusk meets the twilight
And chills kiss my cheek
My dark master croons in my ear of a scene
Where the world is a vast night
Of sly hide-and seek.

At once, I'm a nightmare, my flesh a museum
Of horrors and blood-fright
All simpering and black
A caged, primal reckoning beckons and gleams
Trapped since its birth-night
Now, poised to attack.

I stir in my prison of slumber and schemes
To paw at the monster
To beg of the beast
Some solace, some peace from his haunting regime
But his breath blisters anger
No rescue, no cease.

Hereafter whips past me and I'm washed downstream
To witness the sandstorm
To cower in its eye
I'll issue the warnings, I'll plan the requiems
But the rush will be lukewarm
Save my urge to cry.

In these bitter visions 'twixt festering themes
When the air spits back at me
And my pillow's too deep
I worry the monster is not who she seems
In the mirror; a dichotomy
Is it me…or my sleep?

Author's Note: This was originally published in the December 2009 edition of US print magazine Aoife's Kiss. You should check them out.