Cause for Vexation

"Sharon should make an effort to be more attentive at meetings;
she comes across as not interested in what is being said.
An example would be Sharon's participation at a team presentation,
which a vice-president attended. Rather than listening and showing interest,
she showed obvious disengagement that others noticed and commented on."

I wear a puss face, aimed at a co-worker's probing glance. She’s angling for an in to bore me silly. What'll it be today, witch?  Elevator weather-speak, or thesis-like assertions on cafeteria food? No, girlfriend is not surreptitiously clocking my mortal coil's dress-down trainers and hoodie!  Nothing's wrong, per se.  I'm told it's genetic—faulty neurotransmitters—scenic-route neural mapping, programming me to drive life's blue highways, dodging interstates.  I'd excel as writer, artist or actor, but a cubicle gig is asking for trouble.  Did I conk me infant head or self-medicate back in the day—a girl gone wild?  Either way, I behave intolerably.  I go berserk when disturbed.  It takes all I have to concentrate.  I am lovely, dark and deep.  None know Problem Child.  All give wide berth to Bad Apple.  Still, they want to peel me for pies, bake me a golden brown team player.  Just you wait, 'enry 'iggins: Rita will kick in metered measure.  Sayonara Chaos Theory!  Bienvenido a paz!  So this is normal?  From Mardi Gras drag queen to holy woman serene? Like cloistered pea-boy Gregor Mendel, I'm focused to the nines, padding on pine, road-rage incidents distant memories.  Still, I'll miss firing impulsively rude e-mails to nerds: "Yo, make like Jimmy Choo and shoe.”  I’ll not, however, grieve erstwhile temper tantrums in boss lady's face.  I may meet an assignment deadline! How'd you fancy them apples?

Sharon Kozden

If you've any comments about this poem, Sharon Kozden would be pleased to hear from you.