Nightmare

[AlienGirl]

Nightmare

The worst was separation:

what could not be escaped
rushed light-quick toward us from somewhere far
seeking the day that must be.

In the little shop, I was standing
behind the counter. A woman walked in
with a badger’s head for a purse, and I knew

that after the easy work of dying
the animals spun away, out of life
forgetting each other. Each shed his place
no longer needing any other
or needed by any. Sight contracted to a point

they lost memory of self, wondering:
was I a mouse? a falcon? then, what
was I? wondering
until the dimming eyes forgot how to see.
***************

This is based on an actual nightmare I had many years ago. Thinking about it still gives me the cold shivers...

Tucker