A Sleeping History

I rub at my skin

Suddenly not knowing 
The blood sparkling 
Underneath.
Poison lurks there, bubbling,
Burning every belief
I had -

Even of what poison is.

I try to touch all the things I was told -

Hold on to the shape of me in my head
But all ideas fall through my fingers now
With the hot desert sands

Scratching

My senses,

My self.

One minute of magic 
Has undone me.
Deep, deep under my bones
A sleeping history has awaken -

Looking like the enemy.

My worst fear crawls, rises to the surface -

And I'm afraid of what I see.

But even worse, 

I'm afraid that I like it.

(Inspired by Rose in Twin Crowns)

C. LJ Ireton 2022