Weeks have passed
since 4:30 this afternoon.

The colors of life have
been revealed.
The mysteries of
generations past are
solved.
Close friends are closer.

Running circles around
time.
Gaining insight.

Blossoms of a dogwood hang,
suspended in mid-air,
like a mobile.

Fish swim in the pool
below the waterfall and
the leaves follow
faithfully
the currents that form.

Walking on rocks moving
on a planet revolving
in a universe ever-changing
under stars still shining
which died eons ago.
Supernova.

Sunset with a crescent moon
beside a bright star
on a black horizon
with yellow
orange
red
blue
purple.
Deep, dark blue-black sky
studded with Pliedes,
Orion,
and the Bears.

The view from the car
is so familiar.
Yet,
it seems so strange
tonight,
like a place I’ve never seen,
though I’ve been here for
a million years.

Back at the house,
the room is strange.

A candle.
The only light.
Inside,
the shadows dance.
Close the door!
Safe again.

Running circles around
time.
Gaining insight.

A face so familiar
changes before my eyes
to faces I’ve never seen
before,
yet as beautiful as the
one
I know.

Two faces:
mouth to mouth
nose to chin,
eyes to neck,
melting together
in the heat
of the candle.

Running ahead of time.

Shadows in the
candlelight.
Shadows play,
dance,
kiss.
Two shadows melt into
one.
We watch.
The world outside of the room
disappears.

Red
washes the scene.
Only the
turquoise
of your eyes
can permeate
the curtain of color.

Shadows
on your face
play.
I watch.
The candle flickers:
Time is gaining.

Blow out the candle.
Close your eyes.
Colors.
Dreams.
Faces.
Faces I’ve never seen before
appear behind closed eyelids,
calling to me.

The alarm rings.
Wake up!

Time is far ahead –
barely visible on the
horizon.
Go back to sleep
while
I
try
to catch up.

Rebecca Owens
April 17, 1986