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
      
      
      


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