pulled forth a thread hangnailing like gauze
unravelled my tongue
a dry retching that never relaxes,
tongue overdoubled contorted and
straining for relief
whale-eyed and lip-licking iām searching for a way out is it
that door
or that door
or that door
or
your teeth grazing my neck
i argue my innocence in my
amygdala and push my teeth through the tongue tip
incisor tracing as i try to stare through the retina and invert it
A PRAYER
(hands folded, if you will)
SEE me as i am to be seen
RELENT in my ignorance, as i am only human
WITNESS my attempts and failings
HOLD the back of my head under cool running water
BRING my senses back to me
AMEN
a baptism beseeched
August Third, MMXXVI