on the other side of some train tracks

I see a child sitting in a tangle of plant leaves

The child is in no apparent danger

I just happen to see it (looks like a baby girl) as

I am about to cross the tracks

when I look and see an oncoming train

appear from under the arch of a nearby tree

I say "Oh not now!" as I step back

and the train chugs past with a railroad utility truck following behind

I am about to enter a house (doesn't look like any I've ever lived in)

there are copters flying about overhead

as I go in an official looking man asks for a drop of blood

as if this were a requirement to enter the house

I say "Why?" but he insists so I ask "Who are you?"

he shows me what looks like a prayer book

as if to confirm his authority

I say "That's not good enough" he shrugs and

turns away preceding me as we enter the house

Inside I go to a large window and look out to see

a hearse parked by a curb

a cordon of policemen are on either side of me

one cop with his hands on my shoulder

restraining me

I see on an opposite house a Greek Orthodox priest

wearing a huge cross climbing over the roof

I strain to look out up and down the street

but the cop keeps holding me

I say "What are you afraid of? There're cops all over!"

He relaxes his grip and releases me

We all stand there looking out at the empty hearse

I wake up to a cramp in my left thigh...

Content (c) 2008-2011 Philip Milito.