Mouse

I spoke like I was constantly sharing unimportant secrets,

My intrinsic shyness dulling my vocal chords

In attempts at self preservation and sympathy.

Consistently my words were swallowed by louder sounds,

Or suffocated in the shadows of my own insecurities,

New layers of shame coating my tongue with each stuttered consonant

Tripping slip-slipping between bitten lips.

My jaw ached with the weight of regret and words left unsaid,

My thickening tongue desperately wishing for a release--

Despite everything, it’s claustrophobic.