DTR

Damn.

One hot second after my mouth has closed

I realize

what I am losing via honesty

and the acrid stench of panic

invades my nostrils.

Words dangle in the air between us --

ill-hung Christmas lights -- and

I can read my stupidity

can spell out my mistakes.

You try to wave them away

as though dismissing an unpleasant guest

but the air is thick with subtext.

No meaning is lost.