I wake with a fright.
The dream I had—
was it real?
I smelled you,
touched you,
felt your breath,
heard your voice.
Then I scream
quietly, muffled into my pillow.
It was all so real;
the dream became my reality.
The touch;
the smell;
the voice;
your breath.
And yet, it wasn’t me you touched.
It was another.
It’s all so clear.
Then I scream
quietly, muffled into my pillow.
All that I wanted with you,
all that I thought we had…
All gone.
You chose this—
this path;
this life.
Then I scream
quietly, muffled into my pillow.
My eyes open slowly,
dampened with tears.
My pillow holds
the drops that fell.
I lie here quietly,
replaying the dream in my mind,
heart beating, breaking, hurting.
I realize you’re not mine.
Then I scream
quietly, muffled into my pillow
I take a deep breath,
get out of bed,
look in the mirror,
and smile.
I am a woman—
strong, proud, confident and beautiful.
Thank you, for all you once gave me.
Today, I stand alone.
Then I smile
quietly, looking at my reflection.