It fell at my feet
Like disappointments often do
An oil painting of the ocean
An artists' interpretation of emotion
Local masterpieces to attic trash
Lined the halls of the one room town museum
Among all the donated art in the gallery
This piece chose me.

It had a drowning sensation and
the frame was the color of burnt flamingos
So I stored it in my hall closet for a year
I left it waiting like a patient lover

Hanging winter coats I found the painting and
the reason for the attraction
Id been there before
In a dream...

Heaven held its bells for moments like this
Deep and devouring. Our eyes never blink.
Toes and knees beneath us sink
Calligraphy tears trailed his touch
Like spider legs conducting a melody
Sheet music on porcelain
Written just for you and me
For a moment a dream was a dream
For a moment.
He dropped his hands and faded
Like dreams do
The sound of fallen bells clashed into thunder
The knots formed in my knees and gut
Tightening and constricting
Till the noose reached my throat
The tide came in
The beach and I were gone.


This painting
Now hangs by my window
A gateway to reality
and a passage to dreams



Neither consist of you
Anymore.

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