Painted Lips

Used to hugging lecturer entered office he had flown from abroad greeted personal Secretary he hugged and lipped a female colleague with him With lipstick pasted and permanent on his lips he entered class in mood laughter erupted spontaneously To boardroom he dashed for welcome party Laughter exploded simultaneously lecturers struggled to control their cheeks swollen with laughter He thought he was loved, adored and he too laughed and laughed sending a spiral of laughter rolling across the boardroom He pampered himself in silence and prayed to God; “I am great, great, great, great God, thank you, thank you for your great love for me!” But no one told him his lips were painted