I Woke Up
© Laura Craig Mason 2001

Woke up
in the dark
not knowing
where the sun or moon were
or when
they’d return.

I stumbled 
down the hall
stubbing my toes
and hitting my head

(on something)

I don’t know what.

Nightmares
are nights like this.
Not knowing the comfort
of one continual bed.
Not knowing
the comfort
of a constant companion.

Even a dog
would be better than this.
Dogs warm your toes
and keep you
safe at night.

I woke up,
this time for real
seeing street lamps from windows;
seeing my husband
breathing
rhythmically
and my nightmare subsided.