Unwording

You’ve already had this conversation.

When you raise your voice,

your jaw tightens shut -

each wrinkle, bristle, goosebump

awoken; you are surviving.

You’re murmuring;

I’m not listening.

You are all guttural noises and screwed fists

and skulking shadows

and you tongue and meander around

and around these beastly impulses you can’t

Voice:

I am afraid. I am unlovable.

We’ve said all these silences before.