I have trouble (remembering)

haemorrhaging where the dream staircase leads

is that the basement or the room where we first met? 

 

that ramshackle house that I try to avoid 


working memory not working

the pursuit of desire no longer a fire

anger in these organs, amnesia in this brain

 

death dreams pass quickly, no closure with those

 

hitting your own child in the rain

pains of letting go of imperfection

the protagonist loses faith in one determined flash 

 

jasmine flowers, cut grass, honeysuckle, industrial lips 

 

metal flies on meat kind of sweet 

the defeat into sleep, the deepest shade 

I swear I ate you before the apple turned 

 

Telling myself I’m in the blue

(For your own good you’re in a dream)

 

 

Footnote: this poem was created using the Dreams or Memories constraint as the starting point.