Carrie Cuinn

TOMORROW I WILL BURY MY DREAM IN THE DIRT AND LET IT GO

Listen to the Audio Version read by Jill Khoury.

I put my dreams under a too-flat pillow in case they needed
Darkness to sprout, keeping one hand bent up awkwardly as I
Sleep caressing with these fingers that have accumulated scars
The prayer most lovingly ignored in case it didn't bloom

There is a door to which I have no key that keeps me from
The room where your voice lives, your words, your candy sweet
Laughter playing all around the edges of my heart, and I would
Pay any price, but no one has the key I need for sale

I would cut my skin on a thousand thorns if one rose opened with
Your tongue inside, and on it like the dew, a language I could
Understand, I don't care which, as long as we both knew the
Stories, exclamations, whispered confidences, goodnight tales

You've grown up around me like a vine and I would be wrapped
In the joy of being your mother, and I would change nothing
Except grieving for the clever chattering boy you never were
Only I am hurt by longing when you are here, healthy, and whole.

Carrie Cuinn is an author, editor, modernist, and geek. In her spare time she works toward another degree (this time in Creative Writing), listens to music, watches indie films, cooks everything, reads voraciously, and sometimes gets enough sleep. Find her online at@CarrieCuinn or at http://carriecuinn.com.