compulsion.
slicing off small strips of flesh
sharp pain relieving pressure of boiling blood
the lips being still moving
forcing thoughts from brain to word
so eyes don't pop out of their delicate sockets
alone and aware only of the voice
eminating from the mouth attached to the face
that does not feel like a part of it
trying not to cry, not to scream
afraid either will never stop if succumbed to
teeth clenched every time the words stop
the nails digging further in
wondering which pause will give way
to the blood beneath
it is babbling incessantly now, trying to save its life
hoping for the calming word, the calming voice
the calming caress to remind it that there is more
that the words will fade, the tension will fade
and when night comes once again
all will be as it was before, it will be safe again.
~sinamynlee