It disturbs me greatly
the way in which
you use words
as currency—
jargon as bargaining tool.

In dogma you trust.

You decide the moment
I open my mouth
that you know exactly
who I am,
whom I work for,
and whether or not you are going to do

business with me.

You measure, count, and weigh the syllables
that spill from my mouth
with their metallic taste. Phrases fold
like sharp bills to slip into your palm,
and I know that you value
our counterfeit communications
far above the precious gold
of truth.