After Reading the Newspaper

Dreams are constrained and dependent
on the rendering of the translator.

Dreams disrupt a linear story,
force a change in perception,
set forth metaphors as markers
and objects as symbols
demanding deciphering

Last night's dinner party
took place before the sun
set its place. Twenty guests
and chairs for eighteen,
cutlery for half that group

A peafowl wore a bow tie
and served water into fluted glasses
The guest of honor spoke Pig Latin
A cacophony of babble
passed for social talk

Who understood, but no one listened
Those who had implements ate
Those who had glasses drank
The rest retreated and stared
and waited for the time
to release an answer