Don't tell me I'm dreaming;
I know it's not true.
And waking isn't half bad
since it means I see you.
I once thought my dreams could protect me from truth
but the truth is much nicer than the lies that I knew
when I lied down and slept, and hoped I wouldn't wake,
I was lying to myself.
As if wishing myself away would wish the aches away,
but that wouldn't do.
It'd just create more pain for you.
And it's taken some years
but I've learned to live with myself
and deal with myself
graciously.

And I hope you all can too.

THE END