pushing at the center,
it creeps up into my throat.
lodging itself until i can’t breathe anymore.
i found the problem tonight. burning a hole into the bed i lay in,
quiet enough to terrify my insides and sew my lips closed so that i could not verbalize a word.
tonight i cut myself off your phone call too soon.
tonight my heart ached and needed your arms to soothe the flawed.
tonight i’ll try to lower the fire.
water begins to boil,
and alienates me under the blankets.
keep me quiet.
it makes me hungry.
Ciara Ashley Johnson 