The Dream Murderer Poem by RIC BASTASA

DO NOT think ill of him
this giver of misfortune
this killer of your dreams
for he does not think ill of you

he is the waker of your sleepy nights
so you may be like the virgin
prepared with the oil and the light
and the lamp
for the thief

think of him as a portend
a harbinger
an angel for the coming of your
many deaths
so you can live
forever

think of yourself as the child
who wants to have backbones and wings
and venom

when he is not gone you are ready for your own battles
armored knight of the night
vertebrate manager
winged god
dragon ready with its mouth and tongue of fire
venomous snake
holy cow.