because this may be my very last breath
my fingers are curling around a match box
and I set myself on fire
but only on the inside and
I want all of you to know that you are
flint
or matches
of kerosene.
you are ravenous.
I can taste my self-pity
when you tear my skin apart
in the hallways.
sometimes I pull my sleeves
to cover my fingers becayse
before you know it, they will
rip your eyes clean out of their sockets.
yes, I see you staring at me
like i’m the reason you gained
10 pounds this semester,
or the reason you failed that test.
I don’t care if you think
my teeth are crooked.
I am not a zoo animal, keep your
grimy paws off of me,
and don’t speak to my as if
i’m the ants crawling on your countertops
while speaking to me as if
I just gave you the only thing
you’ve ever looked at more closely than
you’ve been looking at everyone here.