“An Inflicted Introduction by Stewart Stafford

A sour smile across thin lips,
While cat-and-mouse eyes,
Stared, unblinking, at my face,
Forked tongue gauged reaction.

Acid wafting from that mouth,
Light as flecks of warm butter,
But leaving a bitter aftertaste,
Tricking nobody within earshot.

Their hooded gaze scorched,
As infants on their playthings,
Bloated from odious overspill,
I withdrew from their presence.

© Stewart Stafford, 2022. All rights reserved.”