Dream IV

The rose sits alone,
anchored to the bush of hope
against earthly winds
though its pink petals
shimmer to share itself with
the meowing sounds of the cat
who sleepwalks
to sit in front of the rose and gain
purchase of its beauty and courage,
to face the scary depths of
unseen shapes and heart-shattering
screams of dreams.
Above, hangs a milky nighttime sky,
cloud-smeared like a poorly erased chalkboard
whose secret will remain – secret.
A homeless dog limps by on his way
to inspect nearby garbage. He will
visit this bush of hope on the way back
to his alley hideout. The cat,
sensately aware of the dog’s nearness,
continues to fill his soul from the valiant rose
before returning to the dream
as the majestic rose awaits
the melting frost and sun glazed
azure of the morning sky.