rewriting a nightmare

a few sunsets ago, i dreamt of a forest,

flooded by shadows skittering around the leaves.

shapeless monsters cowered in the darkened coves of trees, and jagged rocks loomed out from the undergrowth.

i tried to run, yet my feet grew roots, became fastened

by the unknown forces of the unconscious mind.

as a metallic bird hovered overhead,

instructing me to murder

my lovers, the gloom closed in on me.

my scream pierced the room, until

I exhaled the dream.

i painted the forest, the leaves shimmering

with green lights,

as the sun filters through.

i drew mounds of moss-covered rocks,

with red spotted mushrooms perched on the side,

and deer grazing on dewy grass.

no monster or metallic bird roamed

the new dream. i held the green

leaves like crystals over my eyes,

so that they blinded me from the oncoming

darkness.