up isn’t going to
make me dance. Barking
as a dog isn't going to make
me cuddle. Squawking as a cockatoo

will only make me
leave the room. High pitched voices
cut across me as nails on
a blackboard, only leaving you

hoarse. Volume deafens
and threatens the listener. Level voices
are from level heads. And I won't turn
mine toward a wrecking ball that only squalls.