Last Days of Youth

Anneke Zegers

cotton candy clouds litter my young dreams 
with stars and suns 
dancing just above my head 

dolls’ blank and smiling faces 
worn pale 
gaze off the shelf 
wearing dust like a blanket 

tea leaves spin from my hair 
growing long and wild 
flower petals 

constellations of blood 
flowing  
mourn a vanished child