PHANTASM

Visions that fade away from the grasp of sleep

In the chambers of my soul they disappear into the deep

A dim spark sets ablaze the fall colors in the night

When dreams knock on my door wearing shimmery lights

For a brief, sweet hour I waft above the clouds

Memories bittersweet are folded in powder blue shrouds

On tiptoe they glide and take me along to paradise

A magic door opens and a thrumming portal swings by

Strange, wild dreams with shadows looming large and menacing

Breaking in sweat sometimes I wake up with my heart pounding

Deep dark woods and labyrinthine alleys

Running for dear life, the chase ending in a free fall in chasmal valleys

On bleak shores of rapid streams I lose my way

Fumbling and tripping, my foothold sways on unknown terrains

Rustling paths appear to take me back to times forgotten

To my loved ones looking happy, now long gone

Faraway from familiar boulevards, yonder the placid lakes, turbulent seas and rivers

Winding roads twists and turns with unknown bends turning a corner

I fly on tired wings to the land of wakefulness

Sometimes refreshed, sometimes relieved to escape the nightmarish realms.

©️ Sangeetha Kamath

Pic Courtesy: Image by Ray Shrewsberry • from Pixabay

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