I am a pretender

a liar

a faker

spinning stories from stolen words

ripping whispers from parted lips

I have snatched the very fabric of the universe

and sewn a coat of arms

thread of sinew

needle of bone

to make my flesh

into a home

but my fingers slip

and cut a gash

I lick the blood

it tastes of ash

my tears are wasted salt

bitter even to me

I drink in the searing pain

and tear my teeth into my skin

I am a cannibal

eating myself away