Latent Dreams

by Allison Lee

There are things I do not know of that already exist

They come to me in dreams that I wake up only to forsake


In these latent dreams, I stand barefoot

before ornate doors embellished by chrysalises

each one ever carelessly mundane

each one a singular moment from my past lives


In these latent dreams, my barren carcass

is shrouded in a pearly white toga

stained with the blood of my beloved

stained with the wine brought by enemies


In these latent dreams, charred are my

fingertips and tarnished are my rings

punishment for centuries of regrets

punishment for stalling at the pen


They had dared me to challenge the rule

and so I did, reaching for a taste

I had nothing to gain and nothing to lose

“What a life she lived, what a waste!”


I had stowed shreds of hope

in crevices of my fragile bones

come to terms with my demons

in their comfort I made home


There are things I do not know of that already exist

They come to me in dreams

saying they’re waiting for me