Grains of the universe

Blossom into a thousand branches.

I wander through the endless canopy.

The limbs sway and creak,

but I hold my balance.

Capricious winds scatter thought like leaves

the hardy wood falters.

A rush of air welcomes my weight,

the earth spreads out her arms below.

“Does she mean to catch me?”

Pain courts gravity,

but none comes.

In the kitchen, its green marble counter

and checkered tile floor shine brightly in the sun.

“Good morning son!” Mother says.

“Ready for baseball practice?”

I’ve never played a game of baseball in my life.

Her pager buzzes.

“Oh, gotta go, love you!”

Does she… does it

love me?

Its body and voice are so lifelike

but its words ring so false

so chimerical.

Face to face with the chimera, it flares its leonine mane

and my questions disintegrate.

Flames roil from its serpentine tail,

it unleashes a deafening roar.

My bones shiver under my skin.

Flight screams its command,

but my legs betray me

and I shuffle away

as though I had just crawled from the grave.

A stray rock, or an exposed root seals my doom.

I raise my head

the beast’s gluttonous maw snaps shut.

The sun incinerates the darkness.

Rays of light harry my eyes

through my swaying venetian blind.

Sweat has made a mire of my pillow.

A foul air hangs over my mind.

I hear a voice from the kitchen,

and I dare a peek.

The marble counter and tiled floors are in order.

Mother stands at the stove, making omelets.

She sings a familiar song,

one I used to fall asleep to.

“Edelweiss, edelweiss”

“Every morning you greet me.”

Is this real,

Is she real?

I retreat to my room until the paranoia settles,

And I can know for sure.