The biggest secrets we keep

we never give voice to

our lips never pull taut across them

our bowstrings’ quivering arc

over an ivory expanse

but there are words for them, sure

deflated or still deflating

no air filling them up

unborn they marinate

inside a secret pool

our other mouth

making them daily

kneading them into truths

whispered ever deeper into us

still deeper than

any other human can hear,

smell, see, or taste

coming off the tongue

casual and leaping

as laughter

never that steam lifting

wafting, floating

forever out of you