TMJ

She clenches her fists,
And I clench my jaw.
Release! I say, Release!
I say it to her.
I say it to her fists,
But not to her.
I say it to the things she holds,
But not to her fists.
I say it to myself,
But not to the things she holds.

My jaw hurts.

She turns over.
I turn over.
Goodnight, she says.
I say, Release!
But not to her.
But not aloud.
I say it to my jaw.
I say it to her,
But not aloud.

I hold her in my jaw.
She holds me in her fists.
Fists are better than jaws, I think,
But why not arms,
Or hearts?
My jaw hurts.
Goodnight.