Three Keys and the Tone of Clarity

I fear December nights most.
Their bitter cold denies me tears.
I snap beneath a trembling fear.

In fits and starts, I stutter-sleep
and stumble through a three-part dream.
The force of God, the still small within
a blustery wind, ushers me farther on,
against raw, rambling remonstration,
into presence of imposing triumvirate
of my dismantling.

With each visitation insight rises and
constructs itself mid-air into a golden key.
Once complete, their ring of understanding
pierces my heart as a tone of clarity
sanctifies darkness enveloping me.
Only then do I feel steady hand
of blessed restoration.

Thus the dream-walk commenced:

Taken first to the innermost
temple of a man revered as kingly
and anointed, I marvel at his heart’s
broad compassion. But thoughts turn
to puzzlement at his blanketed decree,
his triggerfish decision to banish me.
Bewildered by prompt dismissal,
his refusal to hear the truth, I am
stunned to see emerging
from him, a will encased
in iron, hard as
Pharaoh’s heart.

Second approaches the shepherd,
cavorting with select sheep, swapping
the same stories I celebrated in days
before the night he cast me out, away
into a blinding storm alone, greedily
seized an opportunity to move fast
the flock from me. His wolf teeth
gnash and grind relentlessly!
Lightning flashes, and wolf
becomes a wounded sheep
bleating for his mother,
beside himself in pain.

My head thrust upward
by so bright a light, I zoom to beloved
fallen star. Despite distance between us,
he remains a reflection of that which burns
infinite in my soul. Tremors wrack my body.
I scream but make no sound. I am saying,
“I love you. I love you;” I’ve only learned
not to say so aloud. And, behold, the sky
opens on a silent, holy night. You dim
and twinkle, afraid I’ll not forgive
you for leading me so far
into the wilderness.

At the final tone, I sit up,
awake and exhausted by my journey
of daisy-chain remembrance and
unexpected revelation. Yet, I am
less afraid – and certain
I will be led farther,
farther on.