Dolores #3 or How Tall is Grief’s Shadow?

I rise from my sleep and
Check the clock by the bedside
It’s twenty minutes past
Midnight

I wipe the sweat off my
Forehead and try to
Control my heavy
Breathing

I approach the mirror
Illuminated miserly by
The penetrating, silver
Moonlight

I do not see my reflection
Instead it is a pitch-dark
Silhouette staring back at me
Unnervingly

I watch it grow steadily
Continually; till the mirror
Could no longer hold it
Prisoner

The silhouette curves its back
To avoid hitting the ceiling
It beckons me to come
Closer

I stand there stunned, amazed
Confused; like a child in the
Vicinity of a massive, black
Tree

It beckons me again and again
Hesitatingly I move towards it
Its dark tail wagging with
Fervour

It wraps its arms around me
In a comforting embrace and
Then lifts me up to its lightless
Face

Its mouth opens and I can see
The universe dancing inside
With a swift movement I am
Swallowed

I land on a soft bed and
Check the clock floating overhead
It’s fifteen minutes past
Midnight