In the Closet, in the Camera

• Facebook
• Instagram

The Terrified Dreamer

__________

the cameras cracked me open
rooted inside my soul
ate and ate and ate some more
until they destroyed me inside cold

armor to collect, versions ready to inspect
reflections that show shades
of my whole
colors, styles, glitter, gold

try the goth, the frills, the pantsuits & panties
           The socks, shoes, hats. The purses the
           earrings.
lined up in the space of silence
versions, versions

on the hangers,
in the room
under, I sit on the floor

make space for the eyes
to see & take more & more
so I squeeze in between the dust mites
           The floorboards the shadows the mold

I was too young to know I would
           never be told
I am worth knowing
                       loving
                       being just as I am
Now. Then. Always.
Always have been.

And you’re the same.
They have gotten in our heads.
                                   Who dreamer?
                                   I wish I knew
And have convinced us we’re worthless
           unless we do do do do

__________

The Terrified Dreamer is a 25-year-old Witch who prefers to muck stalls over cleaning toilets, has synesthesia, and paints when the words overwhelm.

__________

🢠 Back Next 🢡

To learn more about submitting your work to Boudin or applying to McNeese State University’s Creative Writing MFA program, please visit Submissions for details.