Reassurance

Beaten into
blind submission;
allowing backbones
to relax;
watching as they melt away;
fading into the swallowed
questions and the
unspoken contradictions
mingling with blood
of tongues too long bitten.

stand up-
ignite the remnants of yesterday;
too far gone now to speak the words
you couldn't say.
straightened spines and
flashing eyes
will be your demise.

squared shoulders;
hardened jaws
i look you in the eye,
daring you
not to move.