the clenched jaw
that trapped words
like butterflies
and bit their wings
and spat them out
to fall lamely at your feet.
the flickering eyes
that passed loving figures in the crowd
and saw only the faceless demons
bearing sharp teeth, spitting venom
eyes that closed and shed tears
and shot daggers at the mirror.
the hands that shook
clammy palms
and clawing nails
gripped thumb and finger
dragging metal
pulling hair, plucking beauty.
The mind, polluted
a sadness, a parasite
sucking out the body and being
of a now-shell-girl.
