A cold steel ball in my stomach

It sits right at the bottom

Crushes the lining under its weight

Threatens to tear through

A twitch in the back of my skull

Don't look that way

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What would people think?

Eyes in front, or down at your feet

A jolt down my spine

It aches for response

Demands movement and expression

Runs back and forth, faster and faster, going nowhere

Fire burning under my skin

Turning red, turning damp

Warning sirens only I can hear wail

Overheating, combusting

What?

Nothing, nothing

Don't worry about it