I keep swallowing eels

Bracing for the shock

I think they’re growing

Multiplying

What are you supposed to

Feed these things?

Gorging themselves

On my softest parts

Tender tastes

For thrashing monsters

I used to spit them out

Spill slick sick

All over the floor

Let them writhe

Out in the open

Where they had room

To untangle

But people complained

As they often do

When you leave

A wriggling mess

On their new carpet

I choke them down now

Gag on electricity

Pretend I can’t feel them

Slithering in my throat

Bashing against my bones

Make a gate

Out of gritting teeth

Turn the corners up

Convince us both

That it's a smile

I can’t always

Keep my mouth shut

And I’m still not sure

How to clean up

I’m sorry

Did I get salt water

On your shoes?

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Laura Marie Bailey is a self-published author whose work includes poetry collection ‘Grey’ and novel-in-verse ‘Johnny Kid & The Art of Dreaming’. They are a retired model and serial hobbyist living in Ohio with their husband and cat. They currently spend most of their time learning to use power tools and renovating their 1920s home.