It started with a pinprick
a tiny red dot of nothing
I rubbed it lightly
dismissing it 
immediately

By Tuesday it was larger 
a dark speckled patch of deep red
the size of a dime
and had thickened
immensely

The constant itching commenced 
later in the following week 
I scratched ‘til I bled
the crawling grew
immeasurably

The dot soon became a blotch
that stretched the whole length of my arm
I applied tonics
creams and potions
impervious

Widening then branching thus
snaking its way beneath the skin
undulating and
twisting itself
immigrating

The dots turned to ridged holes
tightly packed swollen and blistered
tiny mouths gaping
sucking for air 
implausibility

Sharp pointed white granules sprout
inside the plump hardened circles
similar to teeth
that look like mine
impersonating

Then came the protruding tongues
unrolling from orifices
practicing with sound
beginning words
improvisatory

Covering them with clothing
to muffle the cacophony
of thousands of mouths
learning to speak
impersonate

Until their voices conjoined
chanting with plaintive pleas and cries
drowning my own speech
until I was
immured