He Leaned in to Listen

[He leaned in to listen

with a reassuring smile.]

Tell me your dream.

I was in an ancient woods,

as if peeled from a tapestry

in some medieval castle.

Tall straight trees with no end in sight,

and no path.

My feet were bare on the grass.

What were you doing in the wood?

I was running.

Running toward something,

or away?

Breath in gasps,

heart and feet pounding,

dress snagging on the brush.

I could not stop running.

Was anyone with you?

I ... ran alone.

What were you running from?

…

Who pursued you?

…

Before the running,

what were you doing?

I was --

sitting on the grass

in a clearing in the wood.

I think I was having a picnic.

I felt at peace.

And then what happened?

…

Close your eyes.

What could you hear as you sat on the grass?

A bee buzzing.

A sharp whizzing.

The splintering of bark.

The resonance of a blade impaling.

And what could you feel to the touch?

The spring earth beneath me,

solid and resilient as I reclined.

Sun shining through air so still

I could sense the current

of a hurled knife

before I felt its sting

on my neck.

Warm blood trickled like sap.

What did you do?

My hand reached up

to hold my neck

to stop the spurting blood.

A heartbeat of shock

Then I scrambled up and left

the clearing.

You ran.

Weaving, dodging through the trees,

the only trail the one I made

with my blood.

Blades

spiking the branch beside me,

stabbing the grass by my footfall,

shredding my hair,

grazing the hand

clutched to the gash on my neck.

Who pursued you?

I never saw his face.

But I know it was a man.

I could hear his laughter.

His laughter?

It amused him

to hurl knives at me,

to make me run,

to watch my wild-eyed stumbling.

No meaning to my bloody panic

but his play.

You must have been terrified.

Staggering, every step slowing.

Every second expecting

a searing slice through skin.

Every silence waiting

for his absurd laughter.

And what happened to your companion?

What companion?

The one with you at the picnic.

I … never mentioned her.

How did you know she was there?

…

How could you know?

...

Answer me!

Let’s start over.

Tell me about your dream.

No. No!

I already told you!

Tell me again.

I enjoy

hearing about your dreams.

[He smiled, and his teeth

flashed like knives]