In search of something

That I never misplaced

A thought

A memory

An answer

Acrid in my throat

And peppery on my tongue

For a minute it’s there

And my vocal chords reach for the words

But I push them to the roof of my mouth

Swallowing them back to my soles

My opportunity is lost

As hands fall down

My words fall from another mouth

Speaking the answers I wanted to say

Yet again

I wonder

If the thing I’ve misplaced

Is my own stupid tongue.

Based on my fear of answering questions in class and then missing my chance each time😬