When younger, anger felt explosive. Not just whites behind my eyes, Or trembles down my limbs - explosive. But rather, like stuffing gunpowder down my veins Like welding sparks between my joints Like stars dying within my throat. And yet, as time goes on As older and older and older I get, I've realized that it not just my age that changes. Its not just my skin getting darker and darker under time's light Not just my hair getting longer and longer as the numbers rise Not just my mind fraying as death drags close Not just my heart pumping a bit slower as the hourglass tilts Its also the anger in me that changes. It goes from explosive violent body shattering To quiet calm almost serene - Now Like a snake it coils itself around my bones Like unsuspecting wildflowers it bloom across my veins Like a silent film on repeat it wraps itself around my skull. The anger in me Once hot burning volatile Has become cold numb calculative. The anger in me Once stuck to my sleeves Has now turned a mask, glacier struck to mine skin. -M.A.