Grace

She swallows her words
in slow syllables
against the sharp consonants
incremental slices.

She swallows whole
her need to be heard
chases it down with fiery brew
singes her tongue
numbs the rage
refrains from grasping
the person she once was.

Where did she lose her sleep?
Sweat slides down
between her breasts
head of steam from the iron
leaves beads of condensation
on her upper lip
back hand swipe
wipes away the wetness.

Her mind
writes away the aftermath
of the day before
month before
years ago

Memories gather like moths in her mouth
and storms forward
the afterlife of sorrow
smoothed over
gathers no dust
weathers the electricity
travels down her body.
After-thoughts churn
unsaid words,
unanswered replies
leaves deep grooves across her bones.