Can You Read My Mind? Poem by Kenneth Romano

Darkness creep like thick blanket
Cloaked twilight with hasty descent
Shadows float like wraithlike gauze
As evening stole daylight to night.

When I close my eyes to sleep
Scenes flashed like movie strip
Everything around is quiet
Except the shadows inside my head.

My head spun as scenes unfolded
Filled with screams and crowded
I’m afraid it will explode any minute
It hurts like grating iron crates

I summon magic to freeze their noise
Silence snatched the wick of their voice
Souls stood like dark statues in the park
Each turned with a questioning look

I froze their brains and they listen
I simply asked can you read my mind?
Nobody answered, nobody speak
But I am granted an unmitigated sleep.