Clenched
Like a fist
The heart startles in its cage.
Overwhelmed eyes
Stutter in recognition.
Snowflakes
Of fear
Melt and drip
Down the spine.
With a cough,
Dust is blown off
That old tender feeling
Which is kept
Locked
In a box
At the base of the throat.
Words
Of both
Hate and grace
Beat against the
Barricade of teeth,
But are swallowed swiftly
By the tongue.
Another beat
Of the heart
And the moment is gone.
With battered teeth
And grubby lungs,
Usher in
The oxygen.
With a bruised heart
And weary eyes,
Move on.