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Nightmare

Once again the troubled dream drags me
through winding alleys of brick-walled
tenements to a fearful terminal
where shapeless evil awaits.

Rescued from the fateful mystery, I wake,
the scream still gasping in my throat,
angry at my cowardice, furious at Freud,
whose construction adds unwanted meaning
since I believe it's caused by belly-ache.

He says the dream hides allegories, perverted
residues of errors committed, obligations
failed, ignoble thoughts, ignominies
suffered, warnings of worse to come.

Seen so close, the monster's shifting
features are kaleidoscopic masks,
appear as caricatures of long forgotten
friends or those seen just yesterday.

Doctor says the dream helps purge sins
concealed to leave the countenance
unmarked, pretending innocence.

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