bad dreams

I had a recurring dream that haunted me frequently. In it, I am walking on the embankment of a river at night. As I’m walking, I look into the river and can discern forms moving under the surface. The forms become clearer the longer I look. The river is teeming with life and I am amazed by the size and quantity of marine life present. Much larger forms move into view, startling for their size. They are almost frightening. They move slowly, menacingly. Then the shark forms appear. They move swiftly, purposefully among the other forms. They are indeed frightening and I can feel the quickening of my pulse as I sense their power. They are aware of my presence. They are waiting patiently for a misstep on my part that would send me into those waters. Even though I am safely on land, they still pose a very real threat. I back away from the river into the road, watching the dark silhouettes of their form circling and moving.

After a time, the dream evolved. I am in the same place at night, only it begins to rain and the shadows in the river have transitioned from sharks into alligators. Every other component of the dream is similar, only this time as I back away from the river, alligators of varying sizes prowl the road. They are not fully aware of my presence in the darkness. The pouring rain seems to obscure their senses but it is only a matter of time. I stand frozen contemplating my next move . . .

I “likes” my nightmares, although they have abated.