Amongst,
the rhythm
and teeth
I thought,
it pacifies,
quietly
so quickly.

see now
how tightly,
our arms
have been
tied behind
our backs
(and it was
us who
bought
the cord)

and yet,
i flail my tongue
still,
hoping to
trap a square
that could
neutralize
all that
sad acid
rotting in
your gut

we
know
nothing
of the brain
and even
less of
the heart

but I feel
paralyzed
enough
to reach out