More often than not
beating hearts find themselves
constricted
A forked tongue picks up
the scent of blood
and squeezes
until perhaps it receives
exactly what it wants
exactly what you think it needs

More often than not
beating hearts find themselves
scared
Though it hurts a little bit
it is comforting

and if the familiar slithers away
what would it receive
what would it feel but emptiness?

Normality.