Red lips form an O,
Creating a dark cavern
Overflowing with words that are shoving to get out.
Some are Brutal and Violent and Careless
Without forethought or intention
But others, perfectly articulate,
Tactful and deliberate
Are desperate to be heard

They are unprepared for this brawl
Unfamiliar with this undignified warfare
They cling to the lips
They gasp in astonishment
They wonder if they’re worth it after all

After Times New Roman pushes Arial to the ground
And Georgia is tackled by Comic Sans
Cambria raises her white flag
And retreats backward, others following.
Out of the mouth, through the throat,
Back into the brain
Too tired to fight

Careless gets the upper hand
And one by one
they begin to crash out of the darkness.

Red lips snap shut
Eyes go wide
Cheeks turn crimson
Palms turn sweaty
I’m sorry,
It just came out