Shark's Smile

The grin is engaging,
not exactly warm,
but coaxing,
the slight angling of the head,
as though a question is asked,
serving as a clamp
around my attention.

Stomach muscles tighten.

'Tell me...' What better
invitation in all the language?
Opportunity opens out
bright and calm and spacious,
an expanse for the filling.
Water glistens, sunlight 
intensifies then fades.

Lips press together.

(Those teeth, are they real?)
Slowly I begin to tell the smile
my story, entranced 
as the mouth sucks it all in,
laughing, dancing, 
nodding among the waves
conveying delectation,

of a sudden,
breaching the water
to snatch
a revelation,
jaw 
momentarily
slack.

©Janet Henderson 13th January 2020