Last Night's Dream

Last night, I had a dream

in which the part I'd play

would leave me mostly cowering 

and screaming in dismay.

The world in my dream was a frightening place

where everyone was mean,

and offensive names and actions were used,

and no one cared, it seemed.

But how could I have dreamed this world

in which its people hurt me,

and how could I not realize

that this was just reality?

For I knew they never cared,

and they knew that I could tell,

for my panic was their Heaven,

my panic was my Hell.

Although their slur and bigotry

was not aimed at me,

I could not seem to find the strength 

to be rid of these things.

Before the fighting all began,

I ran so far away, up

the halls, down to the basement,

where comfort came and the end abrupt.

-LJ

11 March 2016