i dreamt i imagined your emotions.
put words and actions in your mouth and body.
spoke to me.
my words through your lips.

stop. don’t move.
don’t speak, or your heart will shatter.
just breathe.
listen: i took something away from us.
don’t try to find it.
i hid it in the tiger’s mouth.
in the dragon’s belly.
under the alligator’s tongue.

and if you close your eyes, you’ll forget it entirely.

so naturally, i woke.