Butterflies and Hurricanes

Do you have dreams that are so intense 

you wake up believing—nay—you’re convinced 

they had to be true on some level 

like in another dimension, they were real?

In my dream last night, I found a special lullaby 

Written inside a crusty novella 

I found in an old bookshop 

Nicked in time just before its dilapidation crumbled it 

I sang the lullaby to my partner before sleeping 

And as we fell asleep, our individual consciousnesses merged

Our subconscious mind, our emotions, our fantasies became one 

And before long, we were staring at each other’s biggest foibles 

Our biggest fears, our pettiest thoughts, our nastiest wishes 

All out there, forming vivid images, patterns,

and shapes that were at once frightening and fascinating 

When I woke up I asked him,

“Were you dreaming what I was dreaming?”

He smiled and nodded

“So the giant snails…”

“…and the ghastly sea monsters? Yes, I was there.” 

I was scared and liberated at the same time 

If you could wield this power and share your dreams 

with the people you loved, or the ones you didn’t 

and show them who you really are, inside and out

would you do it?

That’s when my alarm rang

 I woke up and asked him 

“Were you dreaming what I was dreaming?”

“Was I what?” he asked

“Um, never mind.”