Night Terrors

Noises wake me into darkness, my daughter cries out again from her room, she’s twisted around sheets, her soles pressing tracks in the headboard –– she won’t remember any of this or how I talk to her softly, hoping to register somewhere unconsciously, wandering through forests filled with ghosts she keeps asking for. Outside a mourning dove sings sadness in four parts, each asking the same question, hoping the rise in octaves will wake whoever is missing, bring them back to light.    

JARED BELOFF

Jared Beloff is a teacher and poet who lives in Queens, NY, with his wife and two daughters. His debut poetry collection, Who Will Cradle Your Head, is forthcoming with ELJ Press in February 2023. You can find his work online at www.jaredbeloff.com and as @Read_Instead on Twitter.