To catch up with parts One and Two click on the links below:
https://summerstommy.com/2013/12/05/story-2-dream-part-1/
https://summerstommy.com/2013/12/06/story-2-dream-part-2/
Our intimacy was interrupted when you realised my closeness
The man in the letters was a different man to the one you now had
His arms wrapped round you, your head firmly against his shoulder
His smell and his strength you had not considered.
But you withdrew for only a moment, I felt you relax into me
You thanked me, said you were feeling better,
Though you were somewhat still in shock at your outburst
Emotion wasn’t something you were used to expressing.
I asked if you would stay for dinner, what plans did you have
You said the only plan was to get here; it had been a long day
Beyond that you had no immediate plan, you hadn’t thought that far ahead.
You had no idea what would happen, you only hoped I would let you in.
You said you had to go back, to sever the bonds of your marriage
You had contemplated the prospect for a long time,
You knew you were lucky your children were now all grown
They were well aware of the life you led, of the issues you had with their dad.
You would stay the night; you would be safe for one night
Dinner was prepared; you spoke more of your life
You asked me about mine, listened to my story
We toasted each other’s success and resolve.
I said good night, I went to my bed, you were very fragile, vulnerable
I lay awake wondering what had finally motivated you make this move
I drifted off to sleep, unaware that in the other room you lay awake
Your mind on a thousand thoughts, none of which you wanted to contemplate.
The morning was just beginning as I opened my eyes,
The house was silent; I had heard nothing from your room
I hoped you were alright, that you had slept, as I knew you were exhausted
I thought I might get up, make a tea, maybe you’d like one too.
The door to my room opened, your head poked in
You asked if you could come in, I watched as you padded towards me
No words were spoken, we watched one another, you lifted the bed covers,
You slid in beside me; you looked across the bed at me, smiled and reached out.
I woke with a jolt, the sensation of your hand on my face
Startled me into consciousness, I looked to my right
There was nothing, in my mind I had played out the impossible
But in my heart I secured this story, a keepsake, a dream to treasure.
Morpethroad 
How sad that it ended as a dream, sometimes dreams and indeed friendships turn out not as we hope. There is a yearning to him ~ to nurture the one he loves – well done on the series Michael.
It ends as it begins, it has to. Thanks Jenny for reading and your lovely comments.
you are welcome Michael ~ curtsy
Wonderful story Michael I too thought it was sad that it should turn out to be a dream, though more logical this way, still…may I say that in the line “I had heard nothing from her room” it could be better to say your room as all the rest of the poem is directed to “your”…
Hmm thanks Georgia, will give that some thought. You could be onto some thing….thanks again.
🙂 welcome…its a great story in any case, but that line distracted me…if you get what I mean.
Thanks Georgia, I see you were right. Fixed the problem.
Like your narrator, I’d hoped it was for real! Beautiful and heartbreaking.
We all have our keepsakes, do we not? Which makes this so accessible.
Thanks Jen, yes i agree I hoped it was real too, but when I got into the third part i realised it began as a dream, so it had to end that way. But it was a good dream I think.
A very good one! 😀
We all dream don’t we, sometimes it becomes the only reality we know.
True.
Ah, I agree with everyone else, it seemed so sad it was a dream at the end and yet, that’s what you titled it, so what else could it be…still, a wonderful journey of caring and intimacy and healing! 🙂 🙂
Thanks Helen, an exercise in imagination and dreams are often where they happen, even day dreams.
Dangit!
It’s like the dreams that I have when my brother, who has passed away, appears & then I wake up realizing it was only a dream.
Thanks RoSy, yes I understand those dreams. Yours must be very sad at times when you awaken, but maybe he appears to you for a reason.
Wow !! Beautifully written.
Thank you Rachna and thanks for following my blog, please call again.