Don't wake me now

Given the chance  
he would choose eternal sleep    
   
but not death    
   
death would end the affair    
or at the very least cast doubt    
on the continued rendezvous    
   
no    
   
sleep would be far more real    
and eternal sleep would by definition    
go on and on forever    
sleep being the only viable portal    
where his dreams are obtainable    
a tangible reward spread even    
through the towns and cities of the world    
   
   
it's just the waking up part that's a drag    
the slow withdrawal of intimate image
    
oh he would try to cling on    
to lock dreams into memories    
before they slip the mind    
to become more a nagging question    
asked and asked all the waking hours    
   
given the choice    
he would choose eternal sleep    
   
but not death    
   
people tend to move on after death    
sure they might hold affection    
or place tear stained carnations    
for an appropriate amount of time    
though moving on is hardly a crime    
   
no    
   
sleep would be far more real    
a walk on the silver sands    
warm to the touch of bare feet    
the ocean filled with clear water    
splash a while and flash a smile    
onward then towards the place    
where proud palm trees offer shelter    
   
   
given the chance  
he would choose sleep eternal    
   
but not death.