When I tell you to smile,
I’m telling you to light up the room
Make it so I can’t think of anything else,
When all I see are photographs of you
I wonder if I will ever forget
What kind of world lies there
Outside of these walls that
I was raised to protect me from
Those outstretched arms of yours
That seek but a prey to embrace
Who is truly the beast here?
The one breathing heavily
At the mere sight of a meal.
I promise you, though,
You won’t have your fill
With just me,
I’m not worth
Even an appetiser.
So when I tell you to smile,
I’m telling you to light up the room
Make it so I will regret not
Having let you inside my room
Even when all I see are photographs of you,
Even when I’m trying to protect myself from
The unknown,
I don’t think
I’ll ever truly
Escape from you,
The beast breathing heavily at
The anticipation of their next feast.