i ripped at my chest
nails scraping bone and muscle
picking out bundles of fat
to reach my heart

i plated it with steel
a coat of armor and arms
to prevent them from stretching
and breaking it themselves

i ripped at my scalp
drilling into my skull past fluids
and pulling out hair
to reach my mind

i shook it out and wrung it dry
before crushing it in my hands
to prevent them from whispering
and getting to me again