May Seem Like Palm Reading

" May Seem Like Palm Reading "

by Suzán Jiván
Mom & Mom-
Mom Suzán

May seem
like palm reading
or maybe
even tea leaves

deciphering which
of the 43
muscles of the face
indicate seven
core emotions

happiness, surprise
contempt, disgust
sadness, anger & fear

becoming blind
to the findings
of clinical trials

said this/but felt that
as motivational tactics
like happy-go-lucky
versus give-and-take

equated like low-grade
frustration for the biggest names
by sharing credit card information

freely and playfully
in makeshift situations
while on location lately

as self-deprecating
as the better-able
with amazing résumés

being already claimed
during hunkerings down
on analysts' couches
after long raucous nights' out...