dreams where I'm standing in front of myself
taking in hazel eyes, pigeon toed feet
she is tall but I am taller
we each roll our shoulders back, grimace
lick our dry lips, scoop thin hair off our face
I pull the first punch to prove that I'm quick
It hurts but it feels amazing because catharsis is the process of releasing,
and therefore providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions

but then there's you? together we used to
enter refuge into careful arms
your name, your name, your name

alone, I am a person without a country
the captain of a ghost ship, skirting water, shuddering
amidst the noise, cringing under this bright light

six months, six months, six months