I opened my eyes,

slowly, painfully

to the sound I couldn't recognize

beep beep beep

my gaze fell on hands white as the walls

black polish, garish against the palor

adjusting to the light, refocusing

a head of messy, curly hair

and eyes, staring intently into mine

hopeful, anticipating, gauging, worried

a shy, half smile with so many questions in it

I stare back, head heavy

heart straining in aching familiarity

I watched the smile fade

as the world blurred once again into a dream.