Dear Walt

Wake me, whispering in my ear.
Let me smell your sunny, earthy, sweaty smells
And let me feel your hardened, roughened, weakened self.
Lead me into the cool of day, the crisp, cold day,
But not yet. Five more minutes.
Hold me together, your arms as bands.
Your hands are warm.
Tell me which way I’ll be facing when I open my eyes.
Don’t leave me because I wake up.
Don’t abandon me if I stop dreaming.