*poem published in Eunoia Review
my hips are bruised in my dreams
and i wake up itching,
pressing my fingers onto my thighs,
covering my purple skin.
my hips swell in my dreams
and tentacles circle my feet,
wrapping around my toes when i walk
and i stumble and fall on my face.
when i wake up,
my cheeks ache.
my wrists have blisters in my dreams
and there is ash under my fingernails.
when i wake up,
my hands are swollen.
on cold nights
when i’m afraid to go to sleep
i light three candles
and hug my knees.
i promise myself
that one day
i won’t dream of bruises
one day
my dreams will be amber
and i’ll wake up with warmth
in my stomach.
amaryllis 