I dreamed last night of the end of the world,
of a second deluge whose waters swirled,
swallowed half the earth in a single gulp,
those left alive whipped and beaten to a pulp.

With my boy I wandered desolate land
foraging for food in thick black quicksand.
His eyes hollowed with hunger unending,
small frame under weight of great loss bending.

As we clawed hot sand to reach mountains high,
tigers climbed with us, angels flew beside,
and all that kept my soul from letting go
were words you first spoke to me long ago.

“You have a future. You have a future.”
The moments I thought I could not endure
filled with rhythmic hope dropped from mountaintop,
and love broke through no earthbound force dare stop.

I woke, my tears this message to impart:
life stirs yet in weary, faltering heart.
I’ve promises to keep in face of death,
and I will choose to love through my last breath.