Natural Enemies

All this time I've watched you from afar Like a cop looking for a perp from his car You storm the room like the star of a show Expecting everyone to clap in a row Nails, lips, eyelashes, the colour of oil And a perennial smile that shines like tinfoil Your bubbly voice with a hint of purity inducing feeble minds in a sense of security I noticed your little bait-and-switch take All the pretentious lies that you ooze For you know that you're a snake But you didn't know I was the mongoose You go around collecting people's apologies Angry or crying, based on their psychologies But your real nourishment are favours That your friends relinquish in waivers Then you came up to me with that silly grin pupils wide and tongue sticking out on your chin You seemed surprised when I spat in your open palm Keep the change honey, maybe you'll use it as a balm Poor cobra, recognised as a fake Spilling venom on those you can't abuse For now I know that you're a snake And you know that I'm a mongoose Now you avoid me in our circle of friends Whenever I come into the party the fun just ends Some of your peers leave or disappear in the crowd Speaking their minds and your dirty secrets aloud Now we dance around each other Although I don't really bother As long as we can avert a few gaffes Just remind me if I slip up and laugh It's hard to keep the habit in my wake Oh, I dodged every bite, poison and ruse We both know who's the snake We both know who's the mongoose