yield

containment is for
the criminal element or
forest fires

emotions get corsets
love gets a push-up bra

restraint,
more of a
shut-the-fuck-up,
these groceries can not
be boxed
neatly

they are fragile
walk on eggshell
snowshoes
ever delicate
concealing the Byzantine
embroidered on tattered sleeves

they are held by their
lovely leashes
skills atrophied
smiles pasted in place

they
never wanted to grow
never wanted incisors
pastel on their walls suited them

now look at them
tarted up in a teenager’s
amateur bonne bell
welled up inside of me
a fire-starter

tawmnation