Bittersweet Tooth, a poem by Abhinav Aradhi

 

Bittersweet Tooth

Considering that I am

But a piece of marred candy,

I find it hard to believe

You want to taste me.

 

I’ll go along with you,

Candyman,

And you’ll unwrap me at home,

And you’ll devour me.

 

And from then I’ll be trapped,

In your entrails,

Corroding from the acidic nature

Of you.

 

And people’ll come and visit,

But I’ll pop out and tell them,

Everything’s fine.

It’s all sweet and sugary.

 

And you’ll call me your lifesaver,

Tell me I’m the reason you’re living,

And I won’t have the heart to leave.

I’m no cruel monster.

 

Like a piece of hard candy,

We stay wrapped up together,

The solid exterior of our dynamic,

Melting away before it can be scrutinized.

 

I’ll never leave you,

Not so long as you’ve got me,

Wrapped up in suicidal cellophane,

Shrouded in bruises and welts.

 

Sometimes, you’re a sugar stick,

And your kisses feel like little licks.

Sometimes, you’re sour powder,

And your kisses manifest a terrible itch.

 

You know what?

I think I’ve lost my sweet tooth.