Lockjaw

 You know the phrase

“That’s easy for you to say”

Not for those with 

Mouthfuls of curled tongues 

We choke on the words 

Suffocating in stifling 

Life’s lessons locked our jaws

Speaking is dangerous 

Don’t.

 

Don’t 

Disturb my butterflies 

My head swims in your smile 

Face flushes 

When you call unexpectedly 

I can’t separate it 

Friendship and feeling 

Queasy pit of my stomach

If you don’t like me

That’s fine but 

I don’t want to be a 

Bargain bin therapist 

I’ve given up pieces of myself 

So many times 

If all you can offer is 

Another empty space in me 

And a gash to my heart

Just don’t. 

The Worst Pain

Wide enough 

To crack the spine 

Shuttered heart 

Doors left ajar 

I let you know me

I let myself be known

This is why I feel stupid

This is what I regret