To Make Love Work (Poetry)

I dreamt desire made flesh one night
out of a dream he came
a man I only knew by sight
I didn’t catch his name

He stepped out of a needful thought
when I was sleeping sound
a vague and kind of shady sort
some face I’d seen around

It was a shock to find him there
beside me in the bed
he held me with a black-eyed stare
misgivings chilled my head

I closed my eyes and wished him gone
back to the land of Nod
the kiss he left me lingered on
my empty heatbeat odd

I missed him the long hours through
yet feared that ache was vain
daydreaming hard as I could do
he failed to show again

Thenceforward every night pursued
the same unending quest
those figments frantic dreams lassoed
denied me any rest

The void remained for love to fill
no clue was there to find
but still I searched at length until
I’d all but lost my mind

A crazy woman hunting for
the ghost of love to keep
I trail so tired and spirit-sore
the netherworld of sleep

In truth I neither know nor care
whatever demons lurk
obsession rules and life’s unfair
I’d kill to make love work.