Babushka Dolls

Babushka Dolls

She sits on the sill when the moon hangs low

not bought, not gifted, just there one day

five painted faces, none with eyes

each one smaller, each one sly

I dreamed of oceans once, bright and wild

they cracked her open, and I woke in mud

no sand, no sun, just teeth in the sky

and laughter, soft, behind my blood

Next night came a forest, lit with fireflies

they peeled her back and turned it to ash

I choked on bark and roots that sang

your name in groans like something evil

Each dream a gift, a soft escape

and every time I closed my eyes

she swallowed them

then spat them out,

and whispered truths in voices dry

The smallest doll is shaped like me

her smile is wrong, too wide, too thin

I tried to burn her, she did not burn

I tried to run, she let me in

Now I sleep with one eye open

I sleep in pieces, split and torn

she hums a lullaby in silence

and births a nightmare every dawn