midsummer / by Jean Heng

last night I dreamt of snakes attacking me.
these snakes, they were shaped like reading lamps, and I could not lift my eyes beyond the darkness.
I felt the King’s heavy, damp weight across my back, the nape of my neck.
When the first foot dropped, I thought ‘this is a snake’ and realized it too late.
you freeze to protect yourself, fear is a weapon.
I waited to wake up.