Centripetal Fource

sneak a tear. swipe a grin. 

chase the ugly. wear the panic.

twisting eyes pretend to see.

the edges bend to greet us. 

as we slouch toward our shame.

flesh knows, but seldom speaks. 

of all the ways that we betray it.

drops of blood paint their pictures.

the sweet sigh of temptation taints our lungs.

every choice stiffened by so many thieves.

not the least of which, are under our skin.