While you sleep


I walk through shadows, shaped like clouds
I feel the substance inside. My skin cools
I hear the whispers drag at my mind
We live in the air, water, fire. The very earth you live on
I am often there when you sleep
When you wake at night, 
you see shadows in the darkness of your room
You wander, you shuffle through old photos trying to press
Their image in mind
We don’t want you to grieve, to hope that for one hour a year
You might see us again. That’s not how it works
Life is for the living, the dead can be remembered
Often, they invoke the help you were looking for
during daylight hours. Here, you may see 
a flicker of colour from the corner of your eye
That too may be someone you remember
It’s best to leave the dead to their own business
Crossover contact doesn’t always go well
In extreme cases, it can cause death
That’s the clever way to bring new souls over
When it goes wrong, many are left paralysed
Their minds taken. An empty husk left behind
For some souls it’s anger against the living
Jealousy, a desire to be where you are
For the others it’s a need to see their loved ones
To be near them for a while
They cannot stop themselves from visiting
When they should know better
They are draining the life from the very ones they love
When you feel a loved one near
Wish them well. No more is needed
They in turn will leave a blessing when they can…

© Anita Dawes 2021