howl

An astounding cry swells in my sandpaper throat Freezes there restrained by atrophied vocal chords I howl Inwardly and silently I shout and bellow By a silvery creek lit by a bone colored moon down and out leaning on an ancient oak Cigarette against my trembling lips as i moan Wanting to just let loose, to shout Inwardly and silently I howl A thousand faces I've passed today Seen the streaks on their face paint They smile, they scowl, they frown, they try to be brave As their colors turn to war paint (nobody can take it all off again) Restrained by the conformity the cry swells in my throat Sandpaper coarse and atrophied chords Inwardly and silently i howl I breathe Inward, silent The air was sweeter before Down by a silvery creek A distant coyote's yelp reaches out to me i howl freely and sincerely shout and bellow scrape the sandpaper through my throat and exhilarate my soul freeing my soul i howl