the ventriloquist

i was

her dummy standing

there,

holding my drink,

she was the ventriloquist.

whatever

i wanted to say when asked,

she said it first.

she began

and finished my thoughts

while brushing crumbs

off my chest.

she explained my opinions

at the dinner

parties,

the social gatherings,

she told everyone 

my likes

and dislikes.

my lips never moved.

i just had to sit there,

wooden

and quiet with a

painted smile on my face.