Hit and Run Gaze

Staring, sunken eyes
A deer-in-headlights junkie look
Grubby hollows like smudged coal
Long, stringy hair
Well-brushed but greasy, with split ends
The hawk nose, the pinched beak lips
Sallow skin falsely bloodied with blush
The artificial tinge failing to glow.

Downcast gaze lifted
Into direct, piercing stare
Hold the gaze, Hold It
Go ahead, stare at me
Don't look away in red-handed, panicked shame
Drink me in, dwell on me
The sour taste lingers, cloying, sickly, last week's milk
Throw vinegar in your face
Look at me, LOOK AT ME!
I dare you
Look me in the face, acknowledge me
I caught you
Admit your distasteful curiosity, your passive
Furtive, raping glances
Taking, evaluating, appropriating, judging
Hit and run gaze
But not anymore.

I caught you, you bitch
Look me in the face
Hold my stare
Squirm
Do you see me now?