The Mouth
–T. Carmi
The mouth that enthralled
is the mouth that appalls.

The mouth that lulled to sleep
is the mouth that awakens,
saying: Enough.
Your dream, like cobwebs,
sticks to my hands.

The mouth that sucked
the breath of your sleep
like a rescued man on the beach,
clenches like a fist.

The mouth that aroused
is the mouth that numbs,
saying: With your permission,
these tears tenderize your flesh,
to set the table for the feast of the dead.

The mouth that bound is the mouth that releases,
saying: from now on you’re permitted
to one and all.

Photo by Anna Sastre on Unsplash