they come to us in dreams....
not those dreams that paint a conscious impression
but the ones erased instantly as we awake
leaving us with an uneasy feeling
that we did dream something important....
but what?

they come to us in those dreams
dancing to the beat of our flickering REM's
while softly singing seductive tunes
of what we should or should not do.

they come to us in dreams
and whisper suggestions
that long after they leave
still buzz at our ears
like pesky gnats
and hungry mosquitoes

they tighten the strings
of our secret desires
and play on our weaknesses,
play on our strengths,
'til we are unwitting puppets
beneath their controlling fingers

they come to us in dreams
and in some
they plant seeds
that sprout into flowers
of majestic endeavors...
in some they hide germs
to breed Evil's mischief
with failure and spite

with whimsical schemes
they come to our dreams
to feed or devour
to build or destroy
to push and pull
backward and forward
realities we have yet to meet

and when their sport's done
they leave us in daylight
indelibly marked
yet puzzled and wondering
like abandoned lovers
waking
alone