31 October: Hallowhen

 

31 October: Hallowhen

 

I try to wake up,

I don’t remember why.

Lost in a nightmare of ordinary.

Time is passing,

I know this

Because that is what time does,

But when is now?

These are dreams –

They must be,

Because I never sleep,

Unless I already am.

 

I am trying to wake up,

I have been for so long now,

But the clocks never move,

Or I look at them

At exactly the same time always,

Or they are broken,

Or I am.

But it is always dark,

And I am lost

Behind closed eyes.

 

I would like to wake up,

But,

When is this?

It was before.

That is when I closed my eyes,

But that was long ago,

Though the clocks say

It is still then.

It is always then,

It is always now.

Events pass me by like specters,

And it is still then.

And then is now.

 

Why can’t I wake up?

I would not choose this.

Can you dream

Within your dream?

How can you know?

Will I ever know?

I would not choose this.

I did not choose this.

I am locked behind my eyelids,

And forever has just begun.

 

 

I am trying to wake up.

Don’t leave me here.

 

Cliff Lake 10/24/2026

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2026