nightmares

are you lost
drifting out there somewhere in a
smoggy city full of stars
i am grounded but falling
falling but not free

like an invalid i sleep imprisoned by mountains
of pillows and sheets
but try so hard to run in my dreams

i used to have nightmares where
terrified i would open my mouth to scream
but i couldn't make a sound and my feet would not budge and so i would be
stuck feet to floor
forced into facing my fear

of course this is life
too scared to scream too stuck to move

tonight i choose nightmares over
waiting
wondering at the words stuck in my throat
wondering if i waited long enough if
i could run