Mars wakes up,
on the library floor,
with a heart that feels
heavy, and clearing.
The Way a chest is
after sobbing; wrung out.

"Write it down,"
Mercury says, in his sleep,
on the couch.

"What?"

"You have 56 dreams
a night.  You remembered
one.  Congratulations.
Write it down."

"It hurt though."

"It opened you.
That makes it real.
Maybe more real
than waking.  What
did it tell you?"

"I saw a person I used to
share the whole world with,
and I met all his new friends,
while he told me how happy

he is.  And I tried to be
kind, and not feel invaded,
as he brought his entire
sphere, into my bedroom.

And then they all left
again, and I cried.  And
I asked his mom if this was 
going to be a regular thing;

reverted to some time
where I did not take
control of my reality.
She said no, and I felt

relief.  And I heard
myself saying things
like, 'I'm happy
for him.'

And I meant it.
And I don't ever
want to see him
again."

"Some Love cracks us
open, doesn't it, Mars?"

"It used to make me mad."

"How does it feel Now?"

"Now it just feels true."

"Do you think it was true?"

"That's not the point."

Mercury smiles, "Good boy."

They both go back
to sleep.

The Waking
-by Theodore Roethke

I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.   
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.   
I learn by going where I have to go.

We think by feeling. What is there to know?   
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.   
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Of those so close beside me, which are you?   
God bless the Ground!   I shall walk softly there,   
And learn by going where I have to go.

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?   
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;   
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.

Great Nature has another thing to do   
To you and me; so take the lively air,   
And, lovely, learn by going where to go.

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.   
What falls away is always. And is near.   
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.   
I learn by going where I have to go.