He sits on his own
big fleshy face
flickering like a tv
changing channels
chuckling to himself
chin tucked like a chicken
into his neck
and then twitching
as though swarmed by flies
voices trying to nest
in his head
people stare
as though he cannot feel
the heat of their revulsion
he looks at me and then yells
at my husband
she is very pretty
I start to thank him
but his eyes are shut tight again
he is shaking his head
mumbling
I can’t hear the words
but it’s clear
he is begging
for mercy.