A rainbow on my shoulder
as storm clouds lie ahead
I stop and wonder ‘why go on’
the rain beyond my tread

Halted from my wandering
a stillness reappears
The world to spin and trap in place
surrounding me with fear

My rainbow slowly dimming
its *** of gold has gone
And in its place a darkness comes
the shadows growing long

But far off in the distance
the sky a new portend
Calling out in vibrant hues
— to walk that way again

(Dreamsleep: June, 2024)