I have dreamt of you
Since childhood,
Dreaming of you so often
That I instinctively recognized you,
By your scent,
Your very essence,
Even though you remained
Featureless and otherwise hidden
From me.
Over the years
I would await
Your night time visits,
Sometimes growing fearful
During your long absences
That you were gone from me
Forever,
But you always returned
And I would rejoice
My spirit soaring,
My heart overflowing,
Only to mourn, bereft,
When you were gone.
Eventually I stopped trying
To discern who you are,
Becoming content with you
As you came to me,
For you made me feel cherished,
Treasured,
And I basked in the love
Emanating from you.
Then, suddenly, just tonight,
You let me see you
Before you donned your mask,
And,
As you looked tenderly into my eyes,
You whispered, "You already know me."
And I awoke to the light of morning.
I could still feel you,
Somewhere near,
And my heart filled with joy,
"You already know me,"
You had assured me,
And I knew, at last,
Our time in this waking world
Was finally
Here.