an eclipse of moths -
hefty, hairy-legged creatures -
flap their wings
in my hollow chest,
vibrating bodies pounding
the roof of my torso and
rattling my ribcage,
demanding to be released.
i want to free them -
to open myself up and
emancipate the swarm.

but as screams turn to pleading whispers
i am a merciless warden -
a pearly clam latched to stone and
crusted over with...