Let Me Wake Up

By Nicole Cervonaro

It begins with the oil can

Each joint begs, jaw clenched

From dreams, nightmares

Head full of straw

There’s light outside

Is it the sun or the incessant 

Lamp in the courtyard?

The earth continues to spin 

And so does my head

Reaching for something solid, stable

My hand just catches air

Coraggio Bully Bottom

Wait.. that’s the wrong story

I have the nerve to face another round

But will my broken body let me?

I’m ready for another journey down the yellow road

I don’t need another Glinda

Empty promises, cryptic messages,

Wrapped in saccharine sweetness

Too many days spent in fields of poppies

In an endless stupor

Crawling through syrupy haze,

When will I see the wizard?

Another waitlist, another no

Flying monkeys block every path,

Guards at every gate.

My symptoms are smoke and mirrors

Cant be seen so not even the wicked witch follows

Just me, on this road,

My journey to the wizard, alone. 

By Nicole Cervonaro