the air is sickeningly sweet

the taste burns my tongue

the people overly joyous

smiles once represented content

now they’re a mask,

a facade

hiding what lurks beneath

the phrase

i love you

used to be given out with caution,

meaning

now the words slap me in the face

the birds tweet their gentle melody

harmonies washing over me

drowning

i’m drowning in their tune

still,

smiles

sharp simister smiles

a harsh realisation that there can indeed be

too much peace