she woke suddenly

in a cold sweat

it was still dark

a bad dream was clinging to her

pulling and clawing her back to sleep

to continue a terrifying ordeal

she was exhausted from the escape

staring into the silent darkness 

she refused to close her eyes and surrender

the dream gave up and released his strong grip from her mind 

she vowed to remember the details

to warn others of the danger

knowing she would soon forget it all 

the dream slid away into hiding

waiting to ambush her another night

she stayed awake until sunrise

counting her breathing

listening to her heartbeat 

the soft dawn light gently bathed the room

a big yawn and stretch snapped her into the real world

climbing out of bed and walking downstairs to make breakfast

the dream saw she was distracted

dashing across her mind one last time

to steal her nocturnal memory