CVA dreamscape

Since my stroke in September,

meds meant to save me

are jealous of my dreams.

They no longer allow me to walk old neighborhoods

hear singing in the park

or voyage on rocket ships among the stars.

I dreamed I heard a man beating his sons.

They were screaming, begging him to stop

and I did not intervene.

Ashamed, I try to dream my way back,

but birds had eaten the breadcrumbs

and the forest obscured the stars

My speech impediment returned.

I had verbal outbursts in the midst of class,

my involuntary tic was worse.

I became a stammering child, again.

Family and friends asked if I’m okay. I tried to run away,

but the slamming of the screen door gave me away.

2-7-22