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Nightmares vs. Hymns
by Glenn CurrierWhen I woke in panic
his hands on my back
his brown teeth gigantic
his ax poised to hack.
Feeling trees bare and barkless
in hell of the night
We are born from darkness
and clothed in the light.
When nightmares crawl the question’s why
brain cells produce these humours
what hand or voice or cruel reply
fears or shame-filled rumors?
The morn awakes the larks extol
his is the call that’s ringing
It finds an echo in my soul--
How can I keep from singing?
08/02/2009 Author's Note: How powerful are the unconscious feelings and images that dominate our dreams - sometimes I think: "This is what hell must be like." It sometimes takes me a few minutes awake to talk myself out of the feelings and back into my reality, and sometimes, like today, hearing two hymns in church, I have help. The rhythm scheme is odd, but I was determined to match the hymn entries (in italics). The two hymns: "River of Glory" and "How Can I Keep from Singing."
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