teeth will bite

By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor

6 in the morning
mourning
the life I haven’t lived yet.

I’ve gotta get going
going
or else I will be stuck in regret—
stuck in debt and cigarettes.

tell me why this bed won’t let me up.
I’m not sad—
you don’t need to cheer me up.
I’m not mad—
my chins already up,

buttercup. turn up the lights!
I wanna see my cheeks shine
with teardrop rhinestones—
pop and lock these skin and

bones. turn off the lights!
I wanna grin in silence and the dark
might blind you if you see—
my teeth will bite and buckle your knees.