
Congratulations to Laura Josselyn!
Our December, 1999 winner for the best Dream poem.
Oh Torturous Night
Startled I awake from dreaming
midnight frost on window steaming
As I look out into the night
silent shadows flee from light
That into my sleep came creeping
while on pillow I lay sleeping
Ghosts of past who haunt me still
taunt me during sleep until
I wake to find that I am screaming
why oh why this haunted dreaming
Victim of the night am I
if only in my dreams I cry
This victim once abuse did suffer
at the hands of trusted lover
Onto him she gave her world
he left behind a broken girl
Who he now chases through dark caverns
tainted from poisons he found in taverns
Though the past is gone away
ghosts remain to haunt this day
and bring about the chill of winter
cutting through my dreams like splinters
Long ago was on a night bitter cold
two men raped me body and tortured my soul
who took from me much more than sex
they stole my freedom and left me vexed
with dreams of ghosts they hurt and ravage
without soul so brutally savage
They fill my sleep with malcontent
the many nights that I have spent
running from ghosts within my past
through darkened mazes of distances vast
towards light I know is ever kept
from seeking eyes while I have slept
Oh torturous night when will you end
may I find respite once again
Like nights I've spent within the past
where wondrous dreams would ever last
till I would awaken from golden rays
that chased all shadows from my gaze
Oh dark haunted nights will you now end
or will I lie awake in fear again
Four directions there are to travel
secret paths in maze unraveled
as three ghost try the path to obscure
if I find the right path will I open the door?
which leads me to those days of old
where midnight ghosts did not take hold
of will in wakefulness strong as steel
and allow me once again to feel
what beautiful dreams the night can bring
exit cold winter...enter spring
Author - Laura Josselyn
Copyright © 12/16/98
Webmaster: Cynthia Proctor / A Dove's Nest
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