UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology APRIL 2022 - Flipbook - Page 23
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
Myth
BY NATASHA TRETHEWEY
I was asleep while you were dying.
It’s as if you slipped through some rift, a hollow
I make between my slumber and my waking,
the Erebus I keep you in, still trying
not to let go. You’ll be dead again tomorrow,
but in dreams you live. So I try taking
you back into morning. Sleep-heavy, turning,
my eyes open, I find you do not follow.
Again and again, this constant forsaking.
*
Again and again, this constant forsaking:
my eyes open, I find you do not follow.
You back into morning, sleep-heavy, turning.
But in dreams you live. So I try taking,
not to let go. You’ll be dead again tomorrow.
The Erebus I keep you in—still, trying—
I make between my slumber and my waking.
It’s as if you slipped through some rift, a hollow.
I was asleep while you were dying.
Natasha Trethewey, “Myth” from Native Guard.
Copyright © 2007 by Natasha Trethewey.
Reprinted by permission of Natasha Trethewey.
Source: Native Guard (Mariner Books, 2007)
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