Jacklynn Uhlig
I bite my nails
I chew my cuticles
I gnaw and gnash my teeth
My jaw clicks and locks up
I crave crunchy textures
I need the burn of salt and sour
I rub my tongue raw
I suck and blow, I spit.
I compulsively apply Chapstick,
Because I rip off pieces of my dry lip skin.
I swallow.
I feel the burn of herb smoke and haze
I inhale,
I gag,
I exhale,
I cough,
I spit.
Mouth-wateringly, though, the oral fixation I crave
Is you.