Until They Are Gone
I hear the screams
I smell the breath
I feel the spit
It is dark but there is no doubt
It is there
It gets louder and louder and louder
I open my eyes and see different darkness
Then it stops
Only not really
I can still hear it echo in my ears
I feel the tears rush down my face
I try to slow my breathing
I stumble out of bed to turn on the light
I open my notebook to a fresh page
I write
I write and I write until the dream is gone
Then I sleep once more
Only it doesn’t stop
Every night they are there
I see the flames and smoke
Or I hear her car leave
My father’s voice is there also
Whispering in the dark
“Do you want to go to heaven with me?”
And again I jerk awake
Wipe the tears
Slow the breathing
Turn on the light
And write until they are gone