DREAM TIME

The minute hand is slowly creeping
as I sit here late at night, unsleeping.
While outside a bat keeps on tapping
at door glass he's softly rapping.

T.V. on for background noise
(news denoting dreads and joys)
as pen awaits something to write
in Carolina late at night.

Unnoticed, soon my eyes grow weary,,
then drooping lids make sight grow bleary
......
........

Suddenly I hear a shriek!
a fellow hawk choosing to speak.
My arms are now sleek feathered wings
and I'm soaring high above most things.

Looking down past cruel beak
just beyond a grassy peak
I spy a rabbit down below,
fold my wings and down I go.

As talons close upon the bunny
I plunge into a clear blue sea,
a merman chasing after food
in love in happy mood.

For beside me swims a sleek mermaid
(as pretty as a flowered glade)
who bears my loving wife's dear face
and also moves with her fair grace.

My tail slaps like thunder as I dive!
I shift to park after short drive,
then look at Sue across the seat.
We slide closer and our lips meet.

We share young kisses 'neath the stars
while parked in one of my first cars
way back in nineteen seventy
when we were young and fancy free.

I open eyes to sun, not moon.
Now October instead of June.
Hunting rabbits with brother, dad,
and the uncles and cousins I once had.

Back when I was maybe seven
with hares and dogs in briery heaven
for there is grandma and granddad.
We are all smiling and glad.

The old beagle, Kim, he strikes a track,
begins the race that doubles back.
Raising hound music to autumn skies
barking....barking....I open eyes.......

Back in the den, I come awake.
Dachshund barking for goodness sake!
At a cat out on the deck.
I scold him and mutter "What the heck!"

Past midnight, I rise and sigh.
Memories haunt of days gone by,
in an ancient life, it seems
pictured now only in dreams.

On way to bed one tear I weep.
Is it lost youth or lack of sleep?
I ease into bed beside wife and lover
hoping, tonight, she shares the cover.