Cinnamon

Red Hots

Why would anyone like them?
I mean, they smell terrible, they burn my tongue in a way that makes my eyebrow twitch
They leave red stains on my fingers, despite my best efforts.
Acidic and chemical and so overwhelmingly false
Because cinnamon does not taste like that.
And that toothpaste tastes like wincing and gritted teeth, not cinnamon
Salt and Vinegar fumes make me choke,
And cuts open my mouth and lips
Then absolutely stings like fire.
Soup so hot that a few drops destroy all measure of touch
Let alone taste.
Yet you enjoy it, so I bear with it, and try to see the attraction.
And I am left here ,with a chemical taste in my mouth;
spicy and bitter, hinting of true cinnamon and flames
Wondering why you taste like lava
While smelling of vanilla.