Dreams 2022


Dream 2(1/2/2022)
I am
cleaning
the bathtub
the bathroom
walls
at my old
house
I have the
shower curtain
liner
in the tub
as I scrub
the tiles
I notice
a movement
a rustling
in the
liner
I separate
the bunched
layers
to find
a small
snapping turtle
the head
seeming
disproportionately
large
for the maybe
3 inch circumference
shell
but the turtle
is still able
retract completely
into its hull
when I near
all I have
at hand
are a soggy
paper cup
a small
wet rag
in order to
catch
the reticent
biting
reptile
and
as it avoids
my attempts
I drop
it
several times
now
I notice blood
and wonder
if flushing
the poor thing
might be
the kinder
option
but finally
I am able
to capture
the squirming
bloody creature
in the cup
~
I find
myself outside
with the dripping
blood-soaked
shower curtain
liner
more blood
for which
a small turtle
might account
it looks
as if
I’ve killed
a person
just as
I am trying
to carefully open
the toter lid
in order
not
to get any
on me
my neighbor
crosses the street
asking how
I am doing
she chats
amiably
away
close
in front
of me
not seeming
to notice
the liner
all
of that
blood
now I
am afraid
of getting
any on
her
but
don’t know
how
to manage
that