A Little Poetry Can't Hurt

I Used To Sing

I Used To Sing

I'll tell you a secret

I can see the colours

Rippling through the air when you speak

I used to sing

But now I'm mute

Statue-like

My voice catches knife-like in my throat

And I can't choke

It past my dry lips

I'm suddenly aware of my tonsils

Of the curious

Tingling in my scalp

The back of my neck is ice

I'm watching myself

Ease the car door closed

Release my grip on the handle

You're tripping back over the curb

The streetlights reflected in my mirror

I don't know this retreating back

I don't know the now muted colours

In the way you speak

But I recognize the ache

My heart fish-hooked

Wrenched free and dragging

Grooves up the inside of my throat

I toss you your catch of the day

It bounces off your shoulder blade

But we both know you

Can't turn around

I used to sing