Cup the whole of me in one hand.

Hold my belly up to a light,

judge my origins,

if I might be the real deal.

 

Examine my spine carefully

through this sheen of skin

while I burn like paper,

edges curling in as I smoke.

 

Test the me between teeth,

bite down, heads up,

crack your enamel

on my silver forked tail.

 

Spit me free

with blood and tooth

and every question asked

to test the mettle in me.

 

Wonder why I leave

with a word like love

so sour in my mouth

I choke.