If I Could Speak by Amanda Sangalli

If I could speak, I would while in syllables
Instead of wasting away my pen.
Trade my pencil paper sword and shield
For a bullet alphabet.
I'd polish my old silence,
And I'd sand my rusty tongue,
A holster wrapped around my neck-
My locked and loaded gun.

I'd spit instead of stomachhimg
These rotten words unsaid,
And smear paper cut red fingers
Over all this fading lead.
I imagine taking aim
For every shattered dream of mine,
But even in my head,
The barrel james up every time.