Bubblegum

Bubblegum

I nibble on

my tongue like it's a 

piece of bubblegum

as your eyes

narrow and your

words sharpen along. 

Chew-chew-chew-pop!

Except the pop never 

comes, it dies silently

in my throat--drowns in 

the boat with all the 

words you will 

never know. One day, 

just like all the 

other days of times

long ago, your fire will 

thrum away. With a face 

shrouded by smoke,

you will say that it's

okay, but I will 

always taste blood

in my mouth.