Ivory Cage

lips, gently parting
hesitant, uncertain
tongue trapped
behind disapproving teeth
clenched in refusal
to breathe life
into my thoughts
as if those fangs
had been christened
my protectors

jaw locks
ideas retreat
tongue still averse
to engaging 
the ivory cage.

i sit
i ponder
i write 
what dare i not utter

then it becomes clear

for the mew knows
which thoughts
are ready for flight
and which
have yet to molt

and on the heels
of my surrender
gates open
jaw unsnaps
tongue unfurls

indeed
my protectors

Photo of my daughter
Georgetown, 2016
©pennedbyalina, 2021