Fevered Dream

Fate came to me once

in a fever--

her hands smelled of rain and static.

She whispered your name,

and the air went gold.

The walls breathed.

The stars leaned closer, curious.

Somewhere, a clock melted,

pretending not to watch us.

I told her I wasn’t waiting--

but my shadow was.

It curled in the corner, whispering your laugh

to the dust that used to be sunlight.

If you were meant to stay,

I think the universe would hum in your accent,

the rivers would turn toward your hands,

and the moon would admit

she learned her glow from you.

But maybe love isn’t about arrival.

Maybe it’s the fever that lingers

after the dream ends--

a shimmer under the ribs,

a half-remembered vow

still tasting of thunder.

I miss you.

Like a thought I never finished,

like mist left behind

by something that once burned bright.

Sometimes I see you in mirrors

that don’t belong to this world--

the kind where reflections breathe,

and say your name first.

If fate is real,

she’s laughing softly somewhere,

spinning her thread through our sleep,

tying the ends

we can’t see.

And I let her--

because love like this

doesn’t vanish.

It just changes form.

It learns to haunt beautifully.

Author's Note

Sorry, I haven't been online as much. I've just been very sick. I'm still recovering from a flu

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Somewhere a clock melted. There was passion here, the mist left behind remembers it well. Someone is missed. Someone is still loved, even though the dream has ended. Beautifully rendered Roma. Sorry to hear you haven’t been well. A speedy recovery to you. Another fine write from your masterful pen. Lovely references to the natural environment.

Chris

[RomaJ]

Thank you so much, Chris. Your words mean a lot...you read right through the ache and the mist of it. I’m slowly mending, and it helps to know the poem’s heart still reached you. Your kindness and insight always feel like sunlight after rain.

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome and admired Roma.

[Jansy]

Roma, I hope the flu exits your system with the same speed and lack of structural integrity as a cheap metaphor. Get well soon!
​Reading this, I have to conclude that your fever was a highly effective temporal anomaly. You've managed to chart the precise coordinates of a connection that defies the calendar. The image of the clock melting while "pretending not to watch us" is masterful; that's exactly the kind of intentional, high-stakes friction that proves the magic is real.
​I’m particularly obsessed with the line, "The moon would admit, she learned her glow from you." That is pure, unadulterated, geographically romantic fatalism. It's the moment the universe stops running on physics and starts running on poetry.
​beautifully written and conveyed
James☆

[RomaJ]

Thank you, James! I love how you see the fever as a temporal anomaly..it makes the whole experience feel cosmic, not just personal. I’m glad the clock and moon lines landed; there’s something deliciously rebellious about bending the universe for a poem. Your enthusiasm makes me grin.

[Jansy]

Glad I could make you grin ... feels like I’ve already bent a small corner of your universe. Careful though, cosmic rebellion’s contagious.

[Jansy]

Feel better soon

[red93]

Sending Get Well Soon Wishes Roma.

This latest Piece is well up to yr usual high standards nevertheless. Very impressive how you engage totally with the subject, and follow it thru the skilled progression, with all its nuances. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[RomaJ]

Thank you so much! Your words really mean a lot, and I’m glad the progression and nuances came through. I appreciate the warmth and encouragement..it’s a bright spot while I’m recovering.

[red93]

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[ShadesofV]

What a breathtaking piece, RomaJ. The central metaphor of Fate arriving "in a fever" is brilliant; it makes the memory feel immediate, surreal, and life-altering. The progression is beautiful, moving from the cosmic chaos ("The stars leaned closer, curious") to the profound, quiet realization in the final stanza. That this kind of love doesn't vanish, it just "changes form." It’s an incredibly honest and resilient perspective. Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.
V

[RomaJ]

Thank you so much, V. I really appreciate how deeply you engaged with the poem and how you followed the journey from fevered chaos to quiet reflection. Your words about love ‘changing form’ really resonate..it’s exactly the feeling I wanted to capture. Your wishes mean a lot and is very much appreciated.
..Roma

[ShadesofV]

You're welcome Ro

[Chris]

A LOT of sicknesses going around - many of which have taken people out; beware of the ever-proferred shots for which the "givers" are paid an extra premium for advising as well as the giving. Surprising ow NONE of the shots were really "safe and effective"... ever.

And I so agree with the content of this poem...

[RomaJ]

Thank you, Chris. I really appreciate you connecting with the poem despite everything going on. It means a lot that the imagery and emotion resonated with you..sometimes words are the only refuge when the world feels heavy.