Waking moments are malleable
mostly under my control,
if a thought or longing
I wish to be rid of pops up
a quick shake of the head
sheds them from my mind
but sleep is a troubling time
because the power to steer dreams
is beyond me
The woman I need to leave
as just a good memory
keeps showing up
she hugs me and kisses me
tells me she misses me
laughs and smiles
then I wake up
and realize she is
thousands of miles
out of my reach
before drifting back to sleep
where I can be hers
and rest my tired head
at her feet