A large florid cantankerous man
Shouting in a hallway lightly lit
Spotted me and for reason unknown
Came trundling over fists wildly waving.

Tall stool in hand prodding I kept him at bay,
Wondering why he did not twist it from my hands.
Yet retreat he did. Dreaming I knew
That was not to be the end of it

And indeed I knew he'd seek me out
As he did, plonking down in the fake
Green leather train seats of long ago,
Cutting off my exit as did the equally obese

Frowsy woman who suddenly sat opposite.
We spoke for a while increasingly calm.
Placatory, then I stood and left.
A vanished vanquished dream.

When I die in dreams I always know,
Wake and roll over to dream no more.