The Nightmare

The children stepped off the riverbank,
hand in hand,
and we watched them drown.
And she screamed at me to save them.
And we watched them drown.
And you never get a second chance!
And yet, again…
The children stepped off the riverbank,
hand in hand,
and I rushed forward to save them.
And she begged me not to and said
I would drown.
And I stepped into dark cold water,
and knew she was right,
could not breathe,
could see nothing,
could hear neither screams or pleas,
was alone without children or lover
to hold me back or urge me on,
certain only of the death I’d witnessed,
hoping muddy waters would reclaim me,
hoping no one was to save me,
regreting we did not go forth,
hand in hand.

I woke alone.