we slip on the words that have fallen

quiet words

are you coming home?
eaten by dust mites

caught in hairs around the sink

tap dripping words

I don’t know how to change a washer
his fingers fat pencil stubs

nails ridged like corrugated Perspex

these are not words that want

to be shouted

what did I do wrong?
they stick to teeth and

hurt to chew on

best swallowed with a stiff something

words that tap on the window

at night

do you feel safe alone in there?
sleep with lights on

sleep with eyes open

sleep with mouth closed

doesn’t matter they keep slipping out
who will look after us

when we are old
words you are ashamed of

the quiet words you want

to go unnoticed

talk instead about things

shiny things
I deserve a new toaster

these stilettos are on special

honey blonde suits my face
in the mean time

the quiet words wait

one day they fall from your mouth unexpected

tumble like baby teeth

and it won’t hurt

as much as you think