It started with the writing desk,
    my friends:

                                                                               the Green Wolf

                                                                               the White Tiger

                                                                                        and

                                                                              the Black Horse.


I huddled in the claw tub;
   thinking of familiar faces

                                                                                    within
                                                                                       the
                                                                                 f u r r o w;

                                                                         how I adored them
                                                                         smiling back at me.


I spoke to my father in the mirage;
   my reflection stared back at me

                                                                          his lips mirrored
                                                                                 my own
                                                                                    with

                                                                               r i d d l e s.


I spoke to my mother in the mirage;
   my reflection stared back at me

                                                                        her lips mirrored
                                                                                my own
                                                                                   with

                                                                             a n s w e r s.


The water
r i s e s
from    the    spring;

                                                                                      b
                                                                                      u
                                                                                      r
                                                                                      n
                                                                                      i
                                                                                      n
                                                                                      g

                                                                      the withering shadow

                                                                               drowning
                                                                       in    the    claw    tub.


The water
d r a i n s
from    the    body

                                                                                          c
                                                                                          h
                                                                                          i
                                                                                          l
                                                                    &n