tooth picks
keep my eyes open
stopping my dreams
from become nightmares
force reality
like putting morphine drip
into a stuffed animal
make the absence of something
provide legitimacy
tooth picks
keeping my tongue in place
better not to talk back
better not to question
tooth picks
sticking in my ears
if i could get a minute
to get past the head ache
maybe i could form a complete thought
make the proper sentences
all my teachers longed to see
tooth picks
in my brain
tell me to stay the same
i dare you
tell me not to change
when you require me to change my personality
tooth picks
plucked from places unknown
picking gold teeth
expensive diamonds
to fill minds
usually flooded with dread
tooth picks
always keeping my mind somewhere
that's never within reach