“With anger spreading in the chest to guard against a vainly barking tongue”

I sit

    arms crossed in false bravado.

Your anger flecks your face with spit.

I stare.

  You beat your boots against my chair

   and swear.

I bite my cheek

   my mouth fills up with blood.

You growl and shout but I won't speak.

I burn

       my muscles tight and taut, my tongue is still.

Why? You'll never learn.