i dream in the night you died

rising from my bed i go to yours
and dig with my bare hands
tearing my nails on bone chips and glass bits
dig and dig until i bleed
six feet down to reach you fetal-curled
in your earthy womb
and with bloody hands
tear you from sleep
i am there when you take your first gasp of air
i listen for the startled cry that follows
i am the midwif who births you
the miner who unearths you
carefully brushing dirt and death from your body
blowing the dust of sleep from your eyes
i show you off to the moon above
parent and priestess
who bathes and baptizes you
clothes you in the airy stole of her light
we hold each other tight as she gives her blessings
to our wedding night
swear eternity to be entwined
share a drink
the rich claret of life
and seal our nuptials with a kiss
then lay back on our wedding bed
eschewing sleep for connubial bliss
then i am yours as you are mine

      to bury when we die
      or birth into a brand new life



31^st January - 1^st February 2007