undressed

listen to the way

words are dressed,

with eloquent trimmings,

and spaghetti straps,

holding it all

in place

with one clasp,

one string;

listen to the way

words entice,

like that deep neckline,

tantalizing,

poised on the verge

of a cleavage

that can be seen

through seamless seams;

listen to the way

words snake their way

around and into you,

surprising you,

strapping you

to a fear

that you can feel,

that you can remember,

as your own;

listen to the way

they are clothed,

so you can drop 

into the abyss

of a naked silence

you can never own.