The Jolly Corner

A presence stands above me as I sleep –
I know not if its thoughts are of my death,
Or if it’s there in kindness and to keep
A watch upon my rest and aid my breath.
To answer this, I chase it through my mind
Down corridors and corners, while it flies,
But any moment I expect to find
It caught before my thoughts and opened eyes.
Now there it waits – I ask it what it needs
And why it shadows both my bed and dreams;
Its eyes aghast, its mouth agape, bright beads
Encompassing its creasing brow, it screams,
“It’s me you haunt; it’s you I dream, afraid
Of all that lingers in your mortal shade.”