when i was very small

all fingers and toes and

dreams

i hid under blankets; a lone soul in the night

reverently turning pages

swimming through stories

and the words

they flew off the page

like fireflies

curling into wisps of glitter

spiraling before my almond eyes

melting into my body

filling me with light; warmth

until i could burst

so with padded feet and pajamas

with lead pressed to paper

all fingers and toes and

dreams (desperate)

i tried to spiral the words again

tried to set

my fireflies

Free

I write to set myself

Free.