My nightmares are not loud ordeals;
they sit quiet in the corner. Not paralyzing,
but free, the tantalizing need & want
to move
yawning free and loud in my bones:
it always starts with me waking up,
sitting up from sheets to find myself
bare; & I would look over at
the other side of the room, realize
no
one
is
there

& then resign myself.

My nightmares are not loud ordeals;
they are the moonlit curtains bustling
and whispering in the wind. shaaaaah,
shaaaaah, like nails on backs on thighs
on cheeks: on teeth.
There is a knock on the door. I do not
feel fear, for
my nightmares are not loud ordeals,
they are forcibly silent, oppressive,
let’s stay quiet. be quiet. they’re
almost
home
so I get up. Quiet
Do Not Dress
but Do Dress Up
and each step:

my nightmares
are not
loud ordeals
My Nightmares
Are Not
Loud Ordeals
MY NIGHTMARES
ARE NOT
LOUD ORDEALS
MY NIGHTMARES
ARE NOT
LOUD ORDEALS

My nightmares are not loud ordeals,
my nightmares are not loud ordeals:
not until you wake screaming
through your teeth.