the darkened room
cools gently

drawing dreamers
to unreal planes

veiled footfalls sound
heartbeats quicken
while gentle caresses
cross the body
stirred by hands that
cannot be felt

though are known

while nightmares stand
afar
as soft whispers
shape visions of passion
from disjointed fantasies

till the trumpeting of
the garish morn urges
apparitions
away