A Child's Face

A Child's Face Imbetween the then and now I dream what my eyes allow, Pipits singing on the wing, Snippets of a wondrous thing. Absurd absurd, ridiculous at best, I heard a river flowing west, Lapping shores in the sky, Tapping flaws in my minds eye. Floating high above my bed Noting I had a different head, A child's face with a vultures bill In a wild place, peacefully still. Like starving monks with hacking feet Carving chunks of sapling meat, Screaming, violent, mist and billow Dreaming silent on my pillow. I'm gazing at the old and new, Time phasing in and out of view, Past foes and present friends Casting woes as my future ends. Burning trees and falling rocks, Turning keys in rusty locks, Only spaces behind the door, Lonely faces smile no more. Wandering sky over browning leaves Pondering why my breast still heaves, Curled, glowing in my tiny pocket A world growing in a shiny locket. But when I tasted insecticide On the beautiful flowers pasted inside I realised only dreams are to keep So I closed my eyes and went to sleep.