Swallow

I have swallowed many words from the mouth of those who knew not what they wanted to say. I rested my open mouth over theirs, like a baby bird trying to nourish itself, not realizing its mother has long died. I found the sounds resting atop their tongues, so I reached out and embellished them in ways that pleased me. I never had patience. The same words always screamed from inside my mouth. Like a distress signal.