Jessica on April First

It's been a couple of years since I tried NapoWrimo, the poem-a-day challenge for April, National Poetry month. Last year I was battling back and eye problems, and working hard on the FisherPoets anthology I edited. This year I am healthier and have far less on my plate, so I'm giving it a shot again. This morning I had a visit right before I woke from a former student and friend who was killed in a car crash three years ago. Been thinking about her all day. It would be just like her to pull a stunt like this on April Fool's.

Jessica on April First

Before I awoke this morning

I opened a bathroom door,

and walked in on you. You stood,

ducked your head, and closed

the door again. Realizing

my mistake, I laughed, turned

away, and waited. I had to go,

and hadn’t known you were in there.

You opened the door and came out,

smiling as we both apologized. Before

I realized in my dream who I was

talking with, before I remembered

you are three years dead, I closed

the door a second time. When I opened

my eyes you were gone. After I awoke

and took care of my need, all I wanted

was to go back to sleep and talk

some more. Just a few more moments

with you, smiling, ducking your head,

before I awake.

                  ______

Before I awake with you, smile,

duck your head, just a few more

moments, all I want is to talk, go

back to sleep. I open my eyes, you

are gone. A door closes a second time.

I recall You are three years dead. Who

am I talking with? A door opens, you

come out, smiling. I didn’t know you were

there. Didn’t realize my mistake. Turn

away, wait again. Before I awake, this.