by Shahd Al Shammari

My tongue stiffens

Plagued with numbness and dryness

forehead flooded with prickling, glistening sweat,

blood rushing to my face,

threatening to expose me.

Heart rate accelerating, pounding mercilessly

All the usual signs-

Panic.

One leg forwards, cross my legs.

Feet do the shuffling dance,

and we both know how that’s my area of expertise.Collar gets ruffled and transmission occurs.

Vibrations in the air as the space between us fades-

I’ve taken some of your lipstick off.