BEFORE THE SANDMAN COMETH

though the clock strikes only nine

like Cinderella she darts away

a pleasurable evening’s company

for now the only glass slipper

she’ll leave behind

her schizophrenic’s medication

whisking her off

to an indifferent companion

no fairy god mother

though I wouldn’t mind sharing

see her safely to him

what dreams I could wrap around her

be that morning reassurance

after his sleeping powder

has again lost its charm

as each time we’re together

the more she opens for me

a nice kind of crazy

insane laughter

watching the movie Michael

of an Earth bound angel
cementing two Bohemian hearts

a love of art

showing her paintings to me

reading my poetry to her

a wary eye always on the clock

a good night hug

this time a full minute

a hint of what’s to come?

we peck one another on the cheek

lips grazing

so close and yet …

I ask her for a kiss

my Cinderella refusing with a smile

door closed again

though not before her saying

“I’ll be back next week

for my glass slipper”

© 2000 Chris Sorrenti