The Guest

The hallway mirror is a cold

shock after three hours of nodding.

My face feels like a piece of clay

that’s been left out in the sun too long.

The "Yes, I agree" and the "How lovely"

fall off my chin like crumbs.

My jaw is actually throbbing

from the hinge of that smile.

I look at my eyes and they aren't

even there. Just the effort

of making sure

nobody noticed.