Sep 8, 2022
I feel a cold voice over my shoulder
Long white fingers wrap around my waist
Insisting I keep thoughts to myself
Tucking them deep in some internal place
I feel blunt teeth dig into my ear
Tearing as if to let the ringing out,
Out of that grey place where no one can hear
None but I feel that brassy song so devout
I feel blood pool against my eardrums
Those long fingers dig in
Bruising the flesh that is soft
where I wish it were thin
That ringing whisper
that binds shut my mouth
Grows ever louder
Canonizing my doubt
Two fingers are hooked
at the base of my skull
They pry and release what should remain
Beyond the reach of their pull
