Work Text:
Another Dream
Glass shelves, lined up in a row
Endless fragrances in bottles on shelves
I reach out and grab one;
A clear, beige liquid in a glass named “Itnol”
I spray it, despite the ambiguous label
it smells of leather, first and foremost
chased by the harsh scent of sharp chemicals
The smell is expected, unnotable, yet unfamiliar
I hear a familiar deep voice behind me,
a stifled, friendly chuckle at my disdain for the odor
“You don’t like these ones, do you?
Can’t say I blame you.
Here; try this one instead.”
A claw reaches over my shoulder
holding a container of clear, beige liquid
I feel confident, this time
I spray it, without looking at the label
It smells homey, comfortable
like reminiscing on the house you built
with a silent, glowing pride
“Better, is it?”
I pause, then nod
A satisfied, playfully smug chuckle
“Knew it.”
We stand there for a moment
soaking in each other’s presence
The unfamiliar, glitzy store
feels safe with someone at my back
“Who am I, to you?”
I pause, straining my throat for an answer
I don’t know.
“It’s okay. I don’t know either.
I don’t have a name,
nor a defined body
Yet my voice comforts you
and you remember it, too.
So, whose voice do I have?
Your friend, who felt like home,
Your partner, who’s always there for you,
Yourself, a gentle compassion you wish to embody,
Really,
Who am I?
We both want to know
who brings you such ease.”
I open my eyes
the verdant room greets me
I feel calm, yet uneasy
I worry if it’s no one’s voice at all