Wrapping my arms around myself,
I dug my nails deep into my back,
           tore at skin,
                       muscles,
                       pulling from the center out
until I was open.
The dust in the air tickled my exposed flesh.
 
My ribcage, a barrier,
my spine, an obstacle,
erode from the force of an escaping me,
           which pounds against my bones
           like hurricane winds against a palm.
 
And I was able to free
myself from myself at last.