I stretched my arms above my head
Tossed my blanket aside
I readied myself for the day
Until I opened my mouth
And no words came out

I changed as usual
Slipping into my favorite dress
Spinning round and round in the mirror
Savoring the way the silk clung to my legs

I opened the bathroom door
Squeezed tootpaste onto my toothbrush
Opened my jaws wide
And saw my tongue was missing

I should have panicked 
But I remained calm
I was not in pain
Merely silenced

We had all heard stories
This had happened before
To family or to friends
I knew what to do

I scavenged the house top to bottom
Knowing it must be somewhere nearby
I opened every cabinet
Searched every nook and cranny

Finally I looked under my bed
Slowly lifting the discarded blanket
And saw two beady eyes staring back at me
The cat had stolen my tongue

His tail swished back and forth
Just blinking at me
His small body poised to run
Uneager to release his prey

I went upstairs to retrieve the needle and thread
Grateful my mother taught me how to sew
I went back to the bathroom mirror 
To stitch myself together

Taking a steadying breath
I carefully applied my makeup
Hurriedly packed myself a healthy lunch
Slid into my favorite heels

There is no time to waste
I need to run to catch up 
So far behind everyone else
I am already late for school