Ready.

Last night I had a dream
That it was dark and the night was gentle
Friends were pacing the black paved road
Hands clammy with coolness from the breeze

Under the street lights
Walking shadows began to lose balance and fall—
Crickets overhearing bodies collapsing to the ground

“Everyone’s dying,” he said.
“We’ve got to find a way out of here!”
“But no where is safe,” she said. “We can’t escape it.”
“Let’s try!” and he ran leaving her behind.

Her shadow soon lie itself down disappearing.
Among her dead friends she hummed a soft tune,
Smiled, and closed her eyes --
Ready,
Like the night was for morning.