Imagine a prim-nosed,
Leery-eyed
Karen
Barking insults
Intended to injure
And poke a hole
In your soul.
It stings.
It reminds you
Of all the others
Who poked before
And walked out the door
And left you to melt
In a pile on the floor.
But
This time, just
Imagine
You smile
Like you’ve heard it all
Before, and this Karen
Has old news
Which doesn’t help
The squinty eyes,
And you surprise
With your smile
- she hasn’t seen one
In a while -
And this time
It is You who walks away
Enjoying the exercise.
