deny

your hug came 
as a 
skeptical surprise
i didn't trust it
last time 
your interaction with me 
was a sharp eye 
peering behind a nose 
upturned.
i offered you 
familiar kindness,
yes, it's true 
i did know you before.
but you seemed to 
feign recollecting 
knowing me
until you
later found out 
i just might be someone worth knowing, 
even after all this time..
my reputation 
walks ahead of me 
strong and sturdy, 
by His grace
alone. 
and what, 
now you know me?
in front of
a crowd of others  
you align yourself with 
me 
as if we do 
indeed have a history..?
forgive me if 
the hug was stiff.