Alexis Pope
In the bedroom: your pillow, a locket
& a picture of a grizzly bear. Once
there was a boy, but I forgot
his name. It’s all so distant now
and then I dream of poppies.
Already sleeping in a different
bedroom. A different human
with the same face wakes me
in the morning. I am nothing
more than this cup of coffee,
the rice milk, and the subterranean
longing after which you fall
to sleep on my belly. I am a cave
with no bear to sleep inside. If
a boy were here, I am sure
a game of catch would happen. Sure,
things are not always like this. I know
there are different names
to call this room. There is always
a better pillow. A better way to pronounce
hollow. If I could light this candle with
both matches. A magic of not knowing
if this is a dream or a real
conversation we’ve had before. You fall
a blanket over my lap. Surprising
how the sunset looks different
from this window. I place my
hand on your head and imagine
a better place to fall asleep.
Phantom Limb, issue 7: spring 2013
In the bedroom: your pillow, a locket
& a picture of a grizzly bear. Once
there was a boy, but I forgot
his name. It’s all so distant now
and then I dream of poppies.
Already sleeping in a different
bedroom. A different human
with the same face wakes me
in the morning. I am nothing
more than this cup of coffee,
the rice milk, and the subterranean
longing after which you fall
to sleep on my belly. I am a cave
with no bear to sleep inside. If
a boy were here, I am sure
a game of catch would happen. Sure,
things are not always like this. I know
there are different names
to call this room. There is always
a better pillow. A better way to pronounce
hollow. If I could light this candle with
both matches. A magic of not knowing
if this is a dream or a real
conversation we’ve had before. You fall
a blanket over my lap. Surprising
how the sunset looks different
from this window. I place my
hand on your head and imagine
a better place to fall asleep.
Phantom Limb, issue 7: spring 2013