when you speak

you may as well have a tiger for a tongue

ferocious and full of fire

you ignite words with matchstick teeth

you are comparable to the sun

if the sun were ten times as bright

a thousand times louder

had legs to run

diamond eyes

but not really diamonds

because your eyes are brown

dirt when you die

yet more lively than worms

that chew and spit

writhe against the pavement

and have potential to burn

but you are already aflame

your spirit blinds those who look

as a star imploding

water cowers at your name

quiet that cat

that lives in your mouth

growling, hissing

silent in combat