cohabitation: a battle

[dig_the_earth]

they are in the next room
the low tones ruffling my interest
enough to perk the ear
but not creep to the door

they are unaware that i am
researching them
investigating
reading their thoughts
inked years before

i am devouring them like salty snacks
verbs and nouns caught in the throat
commas and question marks
dropping from my lips
collecting on the shelf of my breasts

it gives me something to work towards
because at this moment
everything i'm doing feels like i've started too late
waited too long to try
falling behind smarter, faster and better-looking contestants

am i now relegated to
reading judging extolling
their virtues?
to rolling their words around my mouth
craddling them with my tongue
savouring every shared sentiment
that they got to first?