The In-Tuition of Soft and Slow

My jaw is locked:

Teeth clenched,

Grinding their warning

To stay shut up.

Tongue pushing,

Attempting freedom

It moves the odd tooth:

I make it push them back.

My jaw is locked:

A presse of soft flesh

Once existed,

Now lemon lips are squeezed of juice,

Thin and sucked inward,

Hiding deep layers

Of feeling….. voice…..

Opinion.

My jaw is locked:

Held closed with memories

Of hurt and humiliation -

Hinges of resentment

Keep it snapped shut;

Fear is the glue that binds;

Shame sits in my chin

Like a Victorian child.

I know my jaw is locked:

It kept me safe once

Or a thousand times

In distant lands.

Now this witness

Protection hinders

The creative truth of

Who I am.

I know my jaw is locked:

I open it wide,

Feel the creaks of disuse,

Unoiled crunches

Snapping in my ears,

The flicking of

An uncertain tongue

Which does not know.

I know when my jaw is locked

I am somewhere

Other than here,

Mind leaping over reality

With quick nervous jumps

To find greener grass

And knock the troll

From his bridge.

When my jaw is soft

Whole worlds open up,

Full of tender fervour,

Gentle passion,

Slow dances of love.

As I part innocent lips,

The heart of my longing

Emerges.