Sleeping/Waking

By Lizzie Snellings

turning,

turning,

turning,

then suddenly, 

today.

and i always have to go.

some yesterday, some tomorrow.

same heavy curtain of seeping sky.

i blink away the sleep of you 

the daylight scrubs its riveted palms down my face

i get back on the spinning wheel 

where i break the morning’s back

to split against my knee

while the butterfly watches from the catchall below

let’s get going, i hear you say.

you keep me chained to the revolving door day

and i hate you for it

you’re the sandpaper that smooths away the creases in my forehead

yet leaves me raw and exposed

pricked with kisses of broken blood vessels

you won’t let me twist the wrists of the clock’s hands

because like you’ve said since before you knew me

time has no choice but to change

i guess i’m no exception.

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