I love you most when I am dreaming.
Rough edges fall away in fog
of the eyes that take their leave
from black reality
and revert to caverns gleaming

How it glances off your face—
that gem-light, stalagmites
catching light—Oh
how this is your favorite place

Where the purple plays
and fans across your nose,
cold colors bathed in warm disguise—
You are a masterpiece
to me
when I close my eyes.

But few souls can look without touching
Awe without taking
Love without breaking—

Mineral dust on the soles of my shoes
It requires care
to keep you
without making

The sheer walls tremble
The canaries die
Reflections waver in water streaming

I cannot reclaim you
from my dreams at night
for when I do



I wake up screaming.