Seance

I felt I dreamed this dream before
at an earlier stage when it
hinted more softly so it wouldn't scare me.

The dream made me a promise
that if I would pray when I saw
the obvious sign, it would confirm...confirm.

It reminded me a few times,
ever more earnestly
urging me to keep alert.

Then tonight I saw it
a glowing black board
behind the furnace in my sleep

and when I prayed everything changed
the supernatural finger authenticated
a pressure deep in my scrotum.

Is this where life and death
make contact,
pain at my center in my dream?

I awoke with the cat
doing her ritual walk
across my chest.