A.J. Huffman is a poet and freelance writer in Daytona Beach, Florida. She has previously published six collections of poetry all available on Amazon.com. She has also published her work in numerous national and international literary journals. Most recently, she has accepted the position as editor for four online poetry journals for Kind of a Hurricane Press. Find more about A.J. Huffman, including additional information and links to her work here and here.
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Smelling Duplicity
Stale cigarette residue emanates from cuffs
worn by hands that gave up the vice
years ago. Sheets radiate the raw sweat
of physicality, intimacy absent for months.
The light aura of perfume, hanging
near the bathroom mirror, a brand
never owned. Chilled
crystal, crack of cube calms the burn
of whiskey, a harsh cleansing of memories'
forced swallow.
With Ruffles
I drape my self in shadows
of appropriate(d) gender. Posing
and twirling, I giggle
on command. Cue blinking and bubble
-headed commentary, learned dialect
of acceptance.
Forced attention-addict
diatribe, diarrhea of my own
mouth. I swallow,
pray I don't
burn on deception's stake.