stars and stripes
I can't sleep at night
sleep walking in the daytime
conversation becomes short
close the door
turn on the fan
light switch down
whir of spin
eye lids close and I begin to dream
but I'm not rested, not sleeping
my skin is damp and my breathing is broken
I am disjointed
I started with a jolt and an "Oh God"
looking around for the source of a voice
I heard words
I heard whispers
I know you're in here
I swear you're female
I stare at the gray blue wall
waiting
I shine my light around
no one is here
then I feel you press close
only you're not real, not yet
I can't tell if I'm seeing the future
I can't tell if you're seeing the past
are we both here?
Can you feel this too?
I get up with a shot
out onto the porch
I purge you out
not yet, not now
I'm left alone
no one but me and the warm wind