My African Star

I lay away in a soft blanket Harsh night sounds keep me fast awake And it seems tonight I must be in your debt If only brief snatches of memories I take But they alone keep me safe. It seems a dream of worlds away To stand bare skinned in the falling rain And walk where black hands scatter hay Please dear spare a dream to ease the pain Of another city darkness aimlessly spent. Nightime trains traverse my thoughts Over deserts, mountains and oceans to come Closer to you than perhaps I ought And let our hearts beat as one Just to burn and frazzle under the African sun. For what are dreams but clouds Of dust darling and you frozen To pleasure my mind in funeral shroud Yet dead or not your ghost keeps me cozen And who am I to slay a ghost of my own hand?