Dog Days.

By Rabeya Kaur

Is this what she would’ve told me to do?

What she intended for me to be, or?

I became a dog raised like a scream.

Is this what my mama would’ve wanted

For her baby to be so haunted?

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

I want to take a bite of you for

How can you teach a toothed leech to

Not nibble when all she is is gentle?

Bite is also touch.

I tip my head towards your wretched limelight

Through the window, all fogged and numb.

I dream of a good day for once.

Everything seems special outside,

But I won’t ever be part of it.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

I promise I’ll love like a saint now that

You’ve taken my teeth away and all I can

Hunt is of gums; don’t turn away

Now that I’m so harmless.

Remind me if I’m too much.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

I promise I’ll be gentle with you.

If you want to take them, will you

Make a necklace, make them worthy for once?

I’ve never felt something—anything.

I choked on such longing.

It hurts all the different when Lord

Told you to have a rest and stole all

The anatomical guns of yours away.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

I promise I’ll love like a saint now that

You’ve taken my teeth away and all I can

Hunt is of gums; don’t turn away

Now that I’m so harmless.

Remind me if I’m too much.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

This is my mother,

I’m nothing like her;

This is my mother,

She’s all that I am.

This is my brother,

I need a shovel to love him;

Where is my father?

He’s with her;

Where is my father?

I don’t know if I want you to come back.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

I promise I’ll love like a saint now that

You’ve taken my teeth away and all I can

Hunt is of gums; don’t turn away

Now that I’m so harmless.

Remind me if I’m too much.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

Break my teeth but please,

Don’t leave,

Break my teeth but please,

Hurry,

Break my teeth but please,

Love me.

Some dog days ago, I wasn’t sullen.

By Rabeya Kaur