I am saddled with dreams.
Ridden like a horse.
The dreams line up
to form a misshapen narrative.
A novel written in codes
out of sequence.
Unable to sleep
due to sepia images
of John Brown at the gallows
in Charles Town Virginia
I wonder what part of my self
requires emancipation.
Or if my hand is the slaver’s
whip cracking hand
stroking the backs
on people who I claim to love.
copyright © 2022 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 