Prisoners behind my teeth

The amount of words locked behind the bars of my teeth will probably leave a hole in your heart, and a confusion as to why more get arrested everyday.

Why do we leave words unsaid?

Why are we so afraid of what others think that we criminalize the words on the tip of our tongue that didn't do anything but keeps us truthful?

Whoever said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" was probably mute. They probably never realized how powerful words can be. Even if it was true, they didn't seem to think of thought, or words left unsaid.

The kind of words you don't say, but keep inside in the basement of your subconscious mind. Day by day they grow stronger and pretty soon you're so full, you begin ripping at your seems. It is destroying you inside, but you still swallow them, like baby vomit.

You regurgitate what you can no longer hold, but that's what teeth are for. Holding in the words and biting the food that manages to make its way quietly around the things you need to say. Nothing escapes if your jaw is sewn shut by the wire of your insecurities.

I've only seen a pretty mouth on one or two people in my life, the kind of mouth you can tell nothing hides inside. Nothing lurks behind molar number 4, or under their tongue. They floss with honesty and rinse with wisdom and opinion.

Why are humans like this? Why do we dirty our mouth with things essential for us to grow? Why do I dirty my mouth with the words I need to say?

I need to say them.

I NEED TO SAY THEM!

But just before I do, the demons in my head so graciously talk me out of it.
Every.
Single.
Time.

I've learned the hard way you need to say how you feel before it's too late. How I wish I told you more about what I thought of you and how you've taught me, because maybe then my life wouldn't be filled with as much regret.

Because we don't want to have to live with 'what ifs' but it seems that's all life consists of.