Backpfeifengesicht

he shouts an epithet
directed at me
looks to his friends
to bolster his courage
 
he swaggers
invading
my eighteen inches
of personal space
 
his breath
foul from
alcohol
and vomit
 
his words inflaming
angry
mean-spirited
loud on the verge of shouting
 
his mouth sneering
bigotry
and hatred
burning in his eyes
 
his posture
threatening
hands raised
into tight fists
 
his jaw clenched
sweating
face flushed with menace
backpfeifengesicht
 
i bite
my tongue
square my shoulders
turn on my heel
and walk away
 
ignoring
his insults
and threats

his friends
laugh riotously
 
at
him