I'm holding a stone in my mouth
it's round and cold, but
I warm it
I must guard against the habit of swallowing
it is not food
it is for holding

when I am ready
I will hold it between my lips
then palm it discretely
walking down a sidewalk
under sun flickering through leaves

I'm holding a sentence in my mouth
I am cold, but
it warms me
I must guard against the habit of speech
it its not for when
it is for if

if we become ready
I will hold it between my lips
then say it plain
and watch your eyes
and find out what it is