Shadow In the Crowd

Bite your tongue and taste the fear,
trickling down your chin.
It starts the awkward tango between,
your vocal chords and lips.
The dance you have yet to master,
a few steps behind the crowd.
Stutter a syllable or two.
Their oil-slicked tongue slips thoughts,
into your over-crowded mind.
Mumbles fill your mouth.
Turn around while you can.
Just walk away it’s easier,
than this maybe thing.
They’re fewer pieces of you left behind
Become a distant memory
Or the next parties punch line