Monday, November 27, 2023

Hyde(e)

 

Hi, she said.  I’m the nice sociopath.

 

I appreciate you inviting me in.

 

You won’t notice until later,

but I have taken a few mementos

of our visit,

 

which I will stroke later, alone,

in the dark of my apartment, eyes gleaming.

 

Thanks for coming to my BBQ.

That look you’re receiving

from other guests

isn’t your imagination.

 

I’ve told them all about you.

 

And then, when you said

you needed some space,

I cried and told everyone

how mean you are, too.

 

They believed me

at first.  Since I seem so nice

and know how to make them laugh.

 

They’ll figure it out.

Like you did.  When I cut them down

and then hide behind

all the things that make them feel sorry for me.

 

Sniffle.  Poor me.  I’m just so misunderstood.

Wait.  Here’s my next victim.

 

Hi, she said, I’m the nice sociopath.

 

If only she would have.

 

 

© 2023 Jennifer Wagner