The Tip Of My Tongue
The tip of my tongue’s Teflon.
The word I’m looking for slips off
before I have a chance to grab it.
The tip of my tongue’s a wound -
clenched teeth taught me nothing -
or a bruise where the clamp of manners held.
The tip of my tongue’s a drill bit
boring silence with the buzz of comfort words,
or a jack-hammer banging insults at the day.
The tip of my tongue’s a loose sheet
in the wind. Watch out as you jibe.
It’ll draw blood if it gets you on the bone.
The tip of my tongue’s a clapper in its bell.
A turn of the head and partials clang
to leave a hum note ringing my skull.
The tip of my tongue’s the key
to the wrong box. It wins no prizes,
gives the game away.
Mike Barlow
(Lancaster)
(Lancaster)
Page(s) 12
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