heart speak

today, my heart has teeth--
they chew small holes around big names,
booby traps like sandpits
pitting self against words too huge to keep in
and too soft to let loose
because what-ifs are lofty
and I've had my share of hefty burdens;

liquid life force in titan veins,
this sledgehammer in my sternum  

(could cripple or crumble, reforge or inflame
the most secret sacred
of this pounding serpent tongue)

...

so I swallow and I choke
on hopeful wonderings
and instead slay the staying stutter
of a nimble

"nothing.  nevermind."