Chapter 3: Refusal

 

On riverbank,

Side by side, damp from a swim,

I say, “Dream me a dream.”

Words tumbled from the past,

A game we used to play.

 

Some days,

Dreams were the only words he spoke to me,

To anyone.

“That we were free.”

 

“Dream me a dream.”

Tell me the truth of things.

Too old – I could tell that’s what we were.

The dreams were nothing fun,

Just aching sorrows left undone.

The game, broken.

 

 

Up, dressed, on the road.

“I’m leaving.”

Leaving, leaving leaving.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“No, I’m leaving.”

 

Words tumbled from his mouth –

“Not safe…far away…come with me….

He’s hunting people.”

 

I didn’t.

And so, he was gone.