'I fell asleep unexpectedly

Draped across my bed

A release of wakefulness suddenly essential.

I did not sleep long but very deeply.

My eyes flipped open

My whole self aware

Before the bridge to Mind was closed -

My brain beetling away in my subconscious.

And with neon clarity it left this word:

'OBFUSCATE'.

 

'What! Give me a break!

What!

I - I - sort of know it. But I never use it!

WHA – AA – T!

This is not funny!

What are you doing  as I sleep!'

I'm actually angry

Talking to my Mind  like a crazy woman

More than a bit unnerved.

 

Of course, I got up at once

To check the dictionary.

And there it was: 'obfuscate'.

I shuddered.

Finding it so clearly was scary.

I have no explanation.

None.

It is not a common word.

I have no idea when I first heard it

Or read it.

I remembered a vague idea of 'dusk'; 'shadow';

Perhaps found in a long-ago poem

By a long-ago poet.

Lines I must have loved.

A word my Mind embraced

And remembered.

 

 

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas, June/18