Teeth

Do not pretend
you didn't know
that this is who I am.

It was all there in front of you.

I have always worn everything
rather painfully
on my sleeve,
and it was you
who chose to believe
the sharper, darker
aspects of my nature
were costume jewelry.

It is not my fault
you saw the smile
and not the teeth.

The smile was genuine.

So were the canines.