A Change of Attitude
I took my kindness to the river and held it under:
Felt the flesh of its neck beneath my fingers
As it expired, felt its fists beat against my arm
But held fast, as the ice-cold current surged.
No regrets: it had needed doing. I’d laboured long enough:
Birthed it fat, white, and howling
A thankless gobbling child who grew too big,
Split every pair of shoes I bought it.
A relief, then, to see it go –
It had been getting to be a burden.
I took my kindness to the river and held it under:
I still remember how it squalled.
No regrets: I’m glad of the reminder
To do things differently now.
Mouth
Every pretty mouth has teeth
Guarding a soft-spoken tongue.
A honeyed tone hides bile beneath
Like harsh notes in a pleasing song.
Some lips are split by falsehoods;
Teeth crack and stain, they lose their shine.
Gums soon corrode; they seep dark blood
A charming voice fades to a whine.
Of all the powers known and vast
Words are oft more than they appear.
No stinging barb was ever cast
By some malicious nose or ear.
A gentle force: fine words deceive
By way of cunning diction.
Untruthful utterances weave
The strangest shams and fictions.
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