As The Grip Finally Loosens A Bit (Goodbye)
you are never toothless, even if you are missing all your teeth
you can still bite back, bite the wrong thing, bite the right thing
you can never use your mouth for anything better than to just
give the simplest words of support, loud as they may be
digging in like tempered spades of heavy excavation
unearthing the hidden truth as they cower a bit, shaking
trembling at the raspy harsh love loud with spittle
and curse and intention to erode the coverage of false fearful pasts
you are always present in the bellowing throat laughter that will
never stop echoing around the rooms of the heart or
the card tables where death is cheated by your toothless grin
holding cards so perfect like fake teeth that bring every round home
every round you make all night pacing the floors of uncertain outcomes
no time for bullshit or gallantry among the broken down souls that require
focus now words now action now meaning now clear cut convictions now
it all spills out onto worn down heels that kick back and watch as it all
unfolds like bills on the table as you ante up for the call and death, well,
death just smiles back at you with your own teeth and you know for sure
he is really getting tired of being cheated by you now
your last hand was not so spectacular at all
but the bluff was always amazing until the end
as the bony hands of your nemesis scraped all the winnings to his side of the table
you smile back at him, the last laugh is yours
blowing smoke in his face, your mouth smiles defiant
because you knew along
you never needed teeth to bite back, anyway
because
even without teeth,
that mouth made noise that will never be forgotten
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