Spacefarer’s Nightmare

The monster under the bed of the galaxy

At home, on Earth, I dreamt of falling, But woke before impact with sunlight Streaming across my face. Now, on this ship, Streaming through starlight, I dream of the quicksand Between the stars. Black holes, the monsters under The bed of the galaxy Whose gripping claws wrench you from Flight, and pull you irrevocably Toward their gaping maws. You can’t see the teeth that Rip you apart. And no one can hear your screams. When I wake, there is no sunlight Spilling through my window to Reassure me. No Sol light To warm my soul. Only the dull blackness of space Beyond the viewport and the Diamond dots of stars Far from home. And the fleeting, dream-wisp memory Of Gravity’s Grave.