I carried a baby

I carried a baby

Cradled in arms

Newly born

I called him

My boy

He cried as did I

We were lost

In a dream

It had to be

I had no baby

Not now

But the question

Was not asked

We were searching

For you

So long lost

Or was it me

Places were unfamiliar

Although I had

Seen them before

In other dreams

With sorrowed endings

So many faces

Bereft of joy

Despair

Emptied my arms

There was little surprise

This was an old story

I knew it well

It would end

With a scream

Tearing me awake

Out from the smell

Ecstasy and hell

Of whisky and cigarettes

The bar was noisy

A parody of pleasure

Drink me in

Written in red lights

Above a silvered mirror

A room

Without a view

Until at last

For the first time

In a thousand tears

I saw you

Pushing through

The parting of waves

A smile

Wide and bright

In the harsh light

Mouthing a secret

About to be a revelation

Meant only for me

Inching closer

Against the tide

Until at last we kissed

So long missed

The merest touch

Of familiar lips

And finger tips

The onrush of waking

Was never so sweet.