I am a clam
Buried deep under gooey, black mud
If you were to dig me up,
And find me lying here,
Camouflaged,
By some dumb luck,
Pick me up with your muddy hands,
And ask me
My name,
Or my age,
I would answer.

And if you ask me
Where I'm from,
Or what I'm doing here,
I might tell you,
Maybe,
But probably not.

And if you ask me
What I like,
I will just stare at you,
Sulkily,
Lips clamped tightly,
Until the subject changes.

I won't tell you
I like anime,
Mythbusters,
School,
And broccoli.
I won't tell you
I have asthma
And ADHD.
If you want to see my pearls,
You'll need a chisel.

And a lot
Of patience

Because every time you hammer or pry,
I'll spit that chisel out,
Aiming for your face

My secrets are mine,
So back off.

Unless,
Of course,
You want to try again