I dreamed you played the piano

just like you’d sing ‘We’re home!’

(The kids steer past you –

polyphony, strophe.)

That was alone, in this future,

advertised – not just a gesture

(a touch, the gesture,

eyes meet, the gesture) –

advertised –

What was the dream

going to say?

The dream can’t remember

but ‘all’, ‘chance’,

and ‘many a December’

play, perfect,

from your calloused fingers.

I took no lessons.

I teach the fugue.