I hear popping
in my right ear again.
It happens every time I chew
and it annoys me so
to the point where
I have a hard time
breaking things down
enough to swallow.

Yes, I have choked
now and then
because the popping is beginning
to sound more like guns
and my ears like
to pretend to implode.
So my jaws have rested
and the throat that carries my voice
proceeds.