the big bad me

show them your teeth,
she says
i turn away and run into the dark night
biting my lips until liquid
spills out

let them see your eyes,
she says
i plug my ears and take
shelter in the depths of the waxy canals

make them feel your talons,
she says
i pinch my skin to maintain
self-control until my nails meet flesh
and flesh meets blood

expose them to your true skin,
she says
i try to bury myself away
from her but
end up burying her

next to all the other secret skeletons