cati PORTER

III.  Dream Dream

 Reclining Nude

 

You have caught me sleeping…

 

I was dreaming of you, and now

here you are before me

as though I dreamed you

into being

 

– but can a painting dream?

Who is to argue with me if I say that

you are the dream, and I am reality?

 

I dream of you often.

I am lonely.

 

One could argue,

 

How can a painting be lonely?

but I am

tired of arguing

with myself.

 

Did you know that I inhabit each one?

Each nude he has painted is of me.

Not the models.

 

I traveled with his hand,

his sleepy brushes – vessels –  

through which he dreamed me.