Dream/Nightmare

When the dream ends the nightmare begins. A warped world of distorted torture. 

Howling winds voice terrors unknown whilst the sky weeps crimson. 

There is no solid ground, no rock, and no foundation. In the distance cries sounding like thunder and lightning come from a weary girl. 

Her eyes listless, her lips pale, her hand shaking, her legs lame. This image sends chills up and down my spine. 

She reaches towards me, I take a step back. Like walking the plank on purpose, death is the preferred escape. 

When the nightmare ends the day begins. An awakening that sobers the soul. 

Sunlight through cracks in the wall put me to some kind of ease. But once the door opens and scarlet petals fall from the sky I fall to my knees. 

And that girl is at my door step reaching out, crying lightning and weeping thunder. 

I look at my own hands; they've turned to stone and quickly erode away. 

There is no air, but I don't need to breathe. My head feels like its spinning yet my vision is clear. 

WAKE UP! I scream into the emptiness, WAKE UP! But no one hears me not even myself. 

The girl then smiles, her legs no longer lame, she walks towards me. 

I am motionless, paralyzed but something worse than fear. Her shaking hands grow still, her lips regain their pinkish hews, and her eyes become vibrant, quiet blues and seamless greens. 

She whispers in my ear "when the dream ends the nightmare begins." I wake, not in a cold sweat or panic. 

I am calm, eerily calm, like the eye of a devastating storm. I guess I’m awake for real this time, for the rain is falling hard and heavy but at least its rain.