Giraffe Tongues

Giraffes’ tongues are purple

to prevent sunburn

what an odd defense mechanism

evolution has done them well

me, on the other hand,

not so much

I get burned

by the littlest things

words ground into me

like a lit cigarette

strangers’ eyes scorch my skin

like a pot from the stove

I beg evolution to make me stronger

perhaps one day he will listen