daphne
Karen Lindsey

once, i might have dreamed of this
to be loved by a god
to run together through green places
and the glint of sun-gold hair,
to make love in the arms of forests.
once, in a time of softness, i might have dreamed of you.
now
i have run too often past the cold perimeters of dreams:
now, at the sight of you,
my body grows rigid and harsh,
locks into itself;
i forget how to breathe.
go away, go back where you came from,
leave me alone.
only with you gone
can i turn to flesh again,
can i grow my body back.