In a night of soft and muted starlight

I saw myself

Erected upon a battlefield

Clad in shining armor

Wielding in my hand a sword

Wreathed in gilded fire

 

In a night of pouding thunder and

Lightning white hot

I saw myself

Cowering in terror

Before a beast dreamt up

From Lovecraft's nightmares

And woke sheened in sweat

 

In a night of cool breezes

And the warm song of the cicadas

I saw myself

Married before my friends and compatriots

Saw happiness across my face

And woke

Not terrified

Not over joyed

But sad

Because I had not the contentment

Of my other self

 

In a night dark and thick as pitch

I saw myself

In snippets

Saw what was to be

Mundane happenings

And simple laughs

I was, but for a night

A seer

 

In a night blanketed in fog

Thick as the rolling clouds of smoke

Wafting from a warrior's pyre

I saw myself

In a mirror

No dreams

No sleep

Merely myself and my thoughts

And I was more scared than suring any nightmare