Restless Eye Movement

You won't notice the sudden flux of pain
when a burning, flame enshrouded foot is severed from the ankle
with one clean swing of a sharpened, singing blade.

Only the tone of your voice will change as you jolt backwards, gravel
digging into loose palm, sky rocketing away in red and head smacking
into a smooth stone, lights snapping out.

Waking will return your lost appendage, numb, naked and bound
under cotton sheets beneath the other, sadistic ankle.
It was just a dream but you can still feel it burning as you stumble
down a flight of stairs, crooked fingers clawing air, for a cold swallow of water.