It's the words br beneath the words br that frighten me. br br Scattered and hidden br in the back of my mind, br on scraps of paper, br br (in the silences) . br br Bold as a burp br I sometimes dropp them carelessly, br in midsentences, in startled br gaps of mundane conversation. br br I lose them to the hungry air, br my real portrait, untouched br glossy face.