white noise

I told her I’d dreamt of her,
of the humpback melting into a mermaid
dancing in a white gown, tail fins
discreetly tucked into satin slippers.
I told her of the wildebeest, of how it
transformed, leaping into the shaded grove
and sprinting out again a unicorn.
I told her the details meant only
for coaxing smiles. I left out
the part about [...]