JONI REDUX

I dreamed that you were dead. She spoke these words
Into the dark. We lay among the sheets
Of satiated dreams. I thought I heard
Her raise her hand to push away defeat.
I'm not, I said. But that's the way it went.
From bad to worse... from bad to very bad.
I'm not, I said... and that is what I meant.
And still she took my hand and we were sad
That everything in both our lives could end
Like this: A whispered word that in the dark
Could smother hope. I know we can't defend
Ourselves from horrors that are cold and stark.
She raised her hand to push the dream away...
It came for her... not me... It came today.

jrb