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nightlight confessional

by Rachelle Howe

the closet light is ominous.
it signifies my twelve year habit.
i've been a crumpled mess,
afraid of the dark, and burningburning.

often, i talk in my sleep, and
you tell me that i hold my hands
over my head like i'm bound.
i am, in many ways
(though you'd never know it)
to shards and glass and paintings
that i bought last year and never hung.

they don't look good
in the pitch of my irises.
your cornea's loom at me,
like spitting vipers;
they hiss.

i hear you in my dreams,
hear you say that the omens
are like women who
hold their legs above their heads and scream
holymotherofgodhavemercy.

i couldn't taste you then,
nor now.

but the closet:

it signifies a scared child
who is still waiting
for the monsters
to come crawling out
of doors and flesh.

09/13/2004

Author's Note: i tried to turn this one away, but the widows and orphans always seem to come back.

and i don't actually own a nightlight. LOL rita and i leave the light in the closet on. so. i'm not as five as i seem. LOL though they have cool nightlights nowadays.... oi. oi oi. i hate the title, i'm going to have to change it, but it was six in the morning. i also hate that i used closet twice but i can't figure out any other way.

Posted on 09/13/2004
Copyright © 2024 Rachelle Howe

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Tom Goss on 09/13/04 at 04:21 PM

Nice, I love the 3rd stanza.

Posted by Max Bouillet on 09/14/04 at 03:34 AM

Glad this orphan found a home in your library. There is much to relate to in these words. The physical aspects of the word choice make it tangible enough to relate to and yet the imagery really spreads across the reader's consciousness like a revelation of powerful emotion. Great read.

Posted by Agnes Eva on 09/14/04 at 05:24 PM

yes - engaging

Posted by Meghan Helmich on 09/26/08 at 08:33 PM

i don't think the double use of 'closet' is a problem.

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