Emptiness

Cutting the ropes was easy
They were frail anyway:
Not free, not terrified.
Having to pull the words like milk teeth from a child's gum was so much harder,
My scream became a whimper.
The light was weak though,
No one could read the stories carved into my skin when I crushed the raw words with both hands.
Like this frightening city I am calm and empty now.
Waiting for my words to grow back I smile toothless into the foggy dawn.