I am your night deep darkness your rem sleep harpy the dreams you take pills to avoid I am your restless breath catching in your throat ankle-break ouch break-neck speed and honey-drip sweetness I bat my lashes before I bite I am service with a smile I come at dusk, in fog, on waves of terror you tried to tone me down you tried to toss me aside you kicked me out of bed you tried to vote me out you tried to keep me quiet I am the bones piled high the secrets you buried the skeleton parade in your closet

now shut your weak mouth

now close your delicate eyes

now take your fucking pills

i’m coming.

© 2019 Mela Blust

Mela Blust is a moonchild, and has always had an affinity for the darkness. She has been writing poetry since she was a child.

Her work has appeared in The Bitter Oleander, Isacoustic, Rust+Moth, Califragile, and others, and is forthcoming in many more. Her debut poetry collection, Skeleton Parade, is forthcoming with Apep Publications in 2019.

She is the social media coordinator for Animal Heart Press, a contributing editor for Barren Magazine, and a poetry reader for The Rise Up Review.

Follow her at https://twitter.com/melablust.