Everyday dreams

at five to five every morning
my alarm screams
it howls
shakes the house
frightens the dawn
wakes the watchman
who waits impatiently
ringing the doorbell
with a screaming finger
in my dreams
the alarm is turned off
the door is opened
the key given
the gate unlocked
things are as they were
I sleep through it all wonderfully
till my mother’s gentle voice wakes me
I turn off the alarm
and begin my day
with the realisation
that I cannot have my father back.