Let me dream of you

Let me dream of you when the light
of youth shone through your eyes,
not flickering with fear; when time
was our endless ocean to sail upon,
and not some empty bedside cup.
Let me dream of you when a smile
of joy played across your face,
and not a death-shadowed grimace;
when your mind was free to wander,
and not captive in a prison of pain.
Let me dream of you as your child
of memory, filled with your hope,
favored with your faith, and not
as this man with a grief-filled heart,
weeping for you as you did for me.
Let me dream of you as the gentle
spirit now embodied in my children,
their spirits now graced by yours,
your spirit now alive in their eyes,
not this spectre that haunts my sleep.
Let me dream of you as my redeemer,
my friend, my fellow dreamer, my giver
of life and love, never denied or clouded
by doubt, not a bated body and soul
weakened by the tyranny of despair.
Let me dream of you as you would wish,
crowned with dignity, so passionately
yourself, yet likewise devoted to those
you loved; just a woman I suppose
you thought, not gone, not forgot.
So let us just say goodnight my love,
sleep well ... I'll see you in my dreams.