Glass-Skinned Truth

I’ve been practicing honesty like it’s a new instrument,

all thumbs, all wrong notes,

My voice cracking in places

I didn’t know could split.

﹁﹂

You asked what was wrong

And I said “nothing” so fast

It sounded like a prayer

I didn’t believe in.

﹁﹂

But my body told on me

jaw locked, shoulders up,

hands curled like I was holding

a secret I hated.

﹁﹂

Truth feels thin on my skin,

like glass stretched over a bruise,

one sharp touch away

from showing everything.

﹁﹂

I tried to swallow the words,

But they sat in my throat

heavy as coins,

No wishing well in sight.

﹁﹂

So I said it:

You hurt me.

Not by accident,

not just once.

﹁﹂

And the room didn’t explode

which honestly surprised me.

The ceiling stayed put,

The clock kept chewing time.

﹁﹂

My hands were shaking, yeah,

But my spine finally showed up

like a friend late to the party,

out of breath, still ready.

﹁﹂

I don’t know what happens after truth.

I just know I can’t go back

to living like a ghost

in my own mouth.