amber

oh, and you don't tie my tongue –
you freeze it
you frame it in a box, like amber
I imagine a wide-eyed child at my exhibit:
“Mommy, can I touch?”
“No, dear. You'll damage it.”
but can't you hear my blood?
I breathe, I promise you I live
I am not amber, I
am blood am flesh am guts am bone
marvel, I speak!
oh, when my tongue melts,
I tell you – how very earthly.
I tell you, I'm no steel or stone,
no tyger I, no jewel upon a pedestal.
mime and mute, I struggle
against a wind I cannot see
let me out of this box!
I tap fruitless on the pane,
you just laugh and feed me peanuts.
“Oh it again!”
you mistake my wails and wauls
for smiles, waves, cat calls
when will you learn
you cannot hold me here.
oh, you might have me for now, darling,
but feed me one more time,
come closer
come see what big teeth I have.
I am blood am guts am flesh –
and I'll see yours excised.
yes, try, keep that cage locked tight
come see my show tonight,
let's dance in amber light
be still, my tongue and teeth!
oh, captive artist, I draw my bars
but are you so certain of the traps I've laid?
oh, come see me pout and purr
come closer
toss me tidbits from the snack machine
I'll wait for you, oh yes
come laugh at
my obvious trap
I'm waiting for that fatal
snap.