numbers

the clock hand points like a judge,
and a deep breathe of ocean air fills my torso.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
the lonely old man in the tower,
and his rusted golden bell.
it rings like a child's smile.

a dog spoke words from a human mouth,
today the world is a shade of purple.
i painted the moon like the sun
stole the stars,
and put them under my pillow.
i dreamt of pixies and crowns and dust.

clouds of bubblegum shaped like madmen,
glued the roof of the white hallway.
they shouted profanities and barked,
woof.
mum always did say keep your feet on the ground,
your head is for the sky.

questions come in numbers,
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12
truth comes in none,
but the sound of rainfall is real.
a pen and paper wrote the big man,
scribbled tales of laughter and ballet. 

2010