When I awoke this day I was not proud
My heart wrapped within a bloodied shroud
The image of his face burned into the cloth
Like a vision from in the mind of a Visigoth

I think the devil slipped past my sleep
Or just dread from my mind adeep
Taunting me like a matador with his red pelisse
Telling me that there is no such thing as peace

Claimed I was nothing but a common fool
Fooled by liberals to be their wrong wing tool
Said to me with breath of fire I'm un-American
Called me a coward, accused me not a man

He so boldly challenged me to a fight
Barking out I was wrong and he was right
He struck me once after I said no
He struck again when I turned to go

Was then I realized he would not stop
He held issues within he would not drop
Yet I held back, offered no defense
Stood against him with my hate for violence

So not one punch was even thrown
Not for anything that was yet unknown
For all his threats still I did not strike
Nor for all his reasons for his dislike

And so it seemed as he gasped and fell
My soul had glimpsed the path to Hell
At the moment his accusations ceased
The guilt I felt inside was quietly released

While deep asleep I faced my inner fear
Rejecting the lies from one so insincere
All doubt cast out as was my inner demon
Risen within, a soaring phoenix-like eudemon

04/21/2003

Author's Note: Another dream poem, most likely brought on by the war.

Posted on 10/10/2005
Copyright © 2024 JJ Johnson