Dreams Lie Beneath

by Rebecca Ross

the clouds were streaked like ribs across the sky, exposing a burning heart of sun.

I forced my answer down, down in the tangled vines of my lungs and the wild briars of my being.

Alone, at last, I indulged the softer side of myself. I covered my mouth and wept.

“I dreamt of you yesterday, Clem.” My divided heart all but stopped. “I dreamt of you,” he whispered again. “A nightmare, I presume?” I countered, unable to help myself.

he leaned so close that our lips almost touched. “You were indeed vicious,” he breathed, but pulled away before I could kiss him.

fathers often underestimate their daughters, don’t they?”

But sometimes things must break before they can be made whole again, so that they can be forged into something stronger.