Cannibal

Cannibal
By Tatiana Pahlen

Voracious, since the day of Birth,
Grasping mother's rippling jug,
this infant gains through monstrous shouts
a restless, curly pint-size pug.
His mouth curves with such a smile,
baiting a clan for the precious shots
Variations of printed piles
capture all his paunchy parts.
A clergyman baptizes him therewith
the kith venerates this sacred day.
No one notices, the toddler's teeth
Grow much greater than critter fangs.
One night the crescent climbs the sky
and briskly turns into a full moon;
The bark of dogs matures to a cry
amidst overflowing scarlet pool.
The feast is over; the wee beast sleeps,
All limbs of the household are gone.
Why was no sign in those chubby lips
that gave a life to a cannibal?