Not My Tongue

The wall was thin, the voice was low,

but words escaped, I heard them go.

A piece of life, not meant for me,

a truth revealed, for all to see

if I let it out. But no, I won't.

This heavy knowing, I just don't

know what to do with it, or where

to put this weight, this private care.

It sits behind my teeth, a stone,

a burden carried, all alone.

My jaw aches from the hold I keep,

while someone else's secrets sleep,

or don't. And I just bite my lip,

to stop the sudden, careless slip.