Drop my pretence

Drop my pretence

It is not yours to carry

Wearing it as a trophy

Displayed for all to see

A hanging tree

A pendant

A picture in a public gallery

It is as I showed you

In the bathroom

Framed in isolation

The jaw set firm

Not quite a lantern

But it leads the way

Keep the mouth closed

I would never be seen

Licking my lips

Away from the table

It smacks of satisfaction

When was the last time

I experienced such a feeling

Try not to speak

Unless directly questioned

Nothing is spoken

Without internal revision

Conversation is galling

A minefield of errors

Feel the trickle of sweat

It rolls down the spine

Just as it does mine

Time to go

Take your leave

Simply does it

Just disappear

You are almost there

It would only take

A micro second

To whisper in the ear

Tilting the balance

Just go

You will have plenty

Of time to ruminate

Once this ordeal is over

Social lives

Are an occasion

To endure

With good grace

A friendly smile

And a straight face

After the ball is over

We can share

War stories

My wounds are real

Are yours.