Sonnet for a January Nightmare
It takes your eyes a moment to adjust
There’s nothing to hold onto but the stars
You grab a handful of that astral dust
And make your way through night as black as tar.
You enter in a strange familiar scene
An animal whose eyes do not reflect
On the path that appears to you in dreams
Above, below, between all intersect.
The beast blows breath of evergreen and ice
The moon comes late and whispers down pale light
Do gods thank givers for their sacrifice?
The glowing snow is painted dark tonight.
Snow falls on your eyes—you do not mark this
For now you truly understand the darkness.
Dream-Moose Replies
THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD
WORTH DENYING.
I CAN SMELL IT
IN THE EARTH DISTURBED
BENEATH YOUR FEET.
WITNESS ME
BLOOD-SOAKED BRISTLE
I HAVE STRIPPED MY BONES
AND WITH A SHAKE OF MY HEAD
FORGOTTEN THE LOSS.
YOU ARE TIRED
OF TRAVELING ALONG THE CIRCLE.
WAKING IS A WEAK ESCAPE–
YOU HAVE YET TO OPEN YOUR EYES.
Nóra McIntyre is a recent MFA graduate from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. They love to write in all genres, including hybrid. They have a special passion for horror stories with hopeful endings.