return / snakes
you cannot imagine
the coiled serpents
writhing just beneath
the shiny skin
with my voice
i can speak only strength
with my eyes
i will try to dance above
the constricting darkness
the loss of hope
the overwhelming desire
to stop all movement
for a month or a year
to vanish off the richter scale
and sleep
until the light returns
and sleep
until i've reclaimed my voice
and sleep
until i can be honest
and sleep
until i have flooded the chambers
until the squeezing lessens
and i remember a purpose
i knew long ago
before the snakes
