words freefall--

words that freefall from your
throat, carelessly lobbed about
   (rolling r's and bending g's;
a lilt i try to memorize
but can never recreate
in memory)
maps out your history
and shows me a past
i would be afraid to uncover
   (if you were not
retelling with emotion
deep in your chest
and anger shining in your eyes.)

the dip of your shoulders,
and the hesitancy in your step,
a gait that intimidates the freshman
   (and doubles as if i'm watching you
walk ever so carefully on water,
ever so afraid to break
the surface)
doesn't falter
doesn't break as you
walk with flames licking your heels.
   (nevermind the hot coals
your peers tread carefully around;
you've got bigger worries.)