socialising

stand straight, two feet on ground

smile, bare your teeth (not too much)

fangs hidden in plain sight

your claws in fists, don’t let them see

(don’t let them know)

wings folded behind your back, so tight

always look them in the eye,

and let them look into yours (ignore the pain)

hide your scales under your clothes

and use words that don’t belong in your mouth

do they know?

can they see what is hidden?

a beast with stolen skin

a monster in human shape