February 11th Challenge: Dream Walker

Task: Write about a recurring nightmare.

Dream Walker

I lay enveloped in Starless pitch, The steady drip of bone Pooling in the pouch of My inside cheek. My stiff tongue, A confused traveler, Traces damp caverns. Sichuan buttons burst— Their spilanthol stings Clustered pink buds. A cacophony of blood Floods twin canals With each refugee that Spills from My pinched lips.

I spit red webs Tangled with massive Molars, Premolars, Canines Into my cupped hands Like a prayer. My feet kick The white Cotton cocoon And the clock radio Delivers a new day. I wake bewildered by Indecipherable truths And poke pulpy Fingertips into My mouth Thirty-two times.