Dangerous words
are the ones that slip under our guard
they nestle next to us at night
whisper treacle-sweet nothings
that trickle and slide down canals
to dosing minds,
honeying the way,
ensuring an easy passage
for the poison kept still at bay

They tuck us in and fluff our pillows
and egos
till we give them freely
those moments of sincerity,
genuine smiles and hitched breaths
their value was in their exclusivity.

We break off these pieces of truth
like our hearts are handmade chocolate
and when these snakes have us so charmed
and they are full,
they finally snap and spit.
bites full of venom,
and we see the fangs too late.