In A Dream Poem by Genevieve Surrender

A world created in a dream,
otherworldly,
and serene.

Lazed in a chaise,
Her robe loosely tied around her waist.
A bare breast,
exposed through the open window
to the neighborhood.

One arm dangling out the open glass
the other holding a Shiraz.
The glass absent.

There is no reason for poise
when drinking alone.

Three o'clock p.m.
The smoke from a lit cigarette
billowing through the empty house.

Softly,
spoken from the next room,
'What kind of relationship are you looking for? '

A tear
softens the harsh line of her eyeliner,
and drips black down her cheek
into the crease of her mouth.

No need for company
when you can create your own.

No need for a reply
when a question is asked
by a shaddow,
invented by her own imagination.

'What am I to you? Did you ever love me? '

She did
and
she does.

She puts the mouth of the bottle to her lips.
Her face: swollen.
Her eyes: red.
Her voice: choked.

And in the darkness of the afternoon
she takes her leave.

And in a whisp of cigarette smoke
smoldering in the ashtray
she exhales.

And behind her breast
her heart still beats,
but she is forever gone.