Poetry from A to Z *
(* NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge)
I is for… Insensitive
~ by Laurel Regan
i visited the bakery today
searching for
a special cake
for a special someone
on a special birthday
and there it was:
vanilla sponge layered with
mouthwatering bavarian cream
luscious strawberries
airy whipped cream
perfection.
but then
“tsk, tsk,” said a customer
in (only half-joking) reproof
with a disapproving look
from
the cake
to my fat body
and back again.
“tsk, tsk.”
i rushed to offer
assurances
explanations
reasons
“it’s for my husband’s birthday,” i blurted
almost adding “his 60th”
(as extra justification)
and actually inquiring,
“do you think this will feed ten people?”
(for good measure)
as if it was any of his business
why or where or with whom
this cake would be eaten
“well, ok then,” begrudgingly
“i guess you’re allowed.”
maybe he thought he was being funny
but i didn’t know what i was supposed to say:
thank you for understanding?
thank you for letting me off the hook?
thank you for your permission?
so i said nothing
just laughed a little, embarrassed
fought to stifle guilt, shame
paid for my cake
left the store
got in the car
and headed home
not sure whether my mounting feelings of anger
were more at him
or with myself
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I’m so irritated that he “gave you permission!” Grrrr…
antof9 recently posted… This is not how anyone would describe me: super thin
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Yes, that was particularly maddening!
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: ArleeBird
April 10, 2015
I can see where that would have been an irritating and annoying encounter. The guy had no business and it was insensitive.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Arlee Bird recently posted… Imagination (Elements of Dreams) #AtoZChallenge
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Agreed! He should have stuck to talking about the weather, if he really wanted to chat.
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: writercat
April 10, 2015
I’m so sorry you had that encounter with that insensitive idiot. Hope you can let it go and know it was him and not you at all. I know what you mean though. So many times I’ve let people be mean or condescending towards me for whatever reason and later I fume thinking about how I should have handled it better. Why is it my good little girl comes out in situations like that? I wish my Belligerent Bitch would come out instead. Where is she when I need her?
Cat Graham recently posted… I is for Ideas
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Cat, I totally hear you! I am far too “nice” when stuff like this happens, and it’s only later that I realize what I SHOULD have said or done.
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
A perfect, and sad, example of insensitivity. This poems captures what I would have felt in that situation. Thank you for being so open.
Melinda recently posted… Forgiveness: The Who of It
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
I would be more than irritated, but I think when people behave this way all you can do is shower them with smiles and positive gestures. I know it may be hard, but you can never let them win! and never let them think they’ve won!
Hilary DeFreitas recently posted… Opportunity Seekers Beware: Ignition Coaching is here
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Maybe it’s better that it didn’t all start to sink in until AFTER he’d left the store. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: abundantjourney
April 10, 2015
Wow! I have encountered my fair share of incredibly insensitive people always making comments above my age – I know wear my year’s well – but don’t beat a dead horse. I can certainly empathize with your situation. People can be very insensitive and downright cruel. No need to explain yourself to anyone… even if the cake was all just for you.
Shonda recently posted… 3 binge-worthy seafood restaurants in Daytona Beach
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
I just can’t imagine making a personal comment to someone I didn’t even know! And I would hope that even if I DID know them, I wouldn’t be insensitive. Sigh.
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: suzyq1810
April 11, 2015
When we were 6 in the family my supermarket trolley would be full and a lot of people I knew, would stop and comment. At first I was uncomfortable and I would explain things, but after a while I would just smile and say yep my trolley is full.
Suzy recently posted… Love is in the Air – Invincible
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Wow – I can’t even imagine! Maybe people are just desperate to talk, or think they’re being clever.
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
April 11, 2015
I’m so sorry you had such an awful experience on what was supposed to be a joyful occasion. 🙁 Hopefully, it didn’t spoil the party for you. My response would have been way less diplomatic!
Happy 60th Birthday to your hubby 🙂
Debbie D. recently posted… #AtoZChallenge: J is for JUSTIFICATION
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
The party is tonight, and I refuse to let that jerk spoil it for me! Thank you for your kind birthday wishes for Peter. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: DebbieDoglady
April 11, 2015
Good for you! Have a wonderful time. 🙂
Debbie D. recently posted… #AtoZChallenge: J is for JUSTIFICATION
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 12, 2015
Thank you – we had a GREAT time!
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – J is for…
Twitter: CarrieAnnTripp
April 11, 2015
Hmmm. Smashed said cake in his face wedding cake style?
Ok, so maybe I’m the only one who would contemplate that idea. I wouldn’t go through with it. Then he would get to have my cake and eat it too. 😉
Carrie Ann Tripp recently posted… Isaiah’s Intentional Investment
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Wouldn’t that have been fun?! Alas, only in my dreams. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: indywrites
April 11, 2015
Yep, I have met jerks like him. No point telling them off as the world is biased towards thin people. I would have given him a nice retort though – I can’t keep shut.
Happy birthday to Peter, hope it’s a great year ahead.
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal recently posted… Hazara, Harshita & Harsh #AtoZChallenge
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
I wish I was quick enough to think of something smart to say – that stuff only comes to me later. 🙁 Thank you for the happy birthday wishes for Peter! 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: nerthus
April 11, 2015
I would probably tell him I was going to rub the cake all over my body (in my best Dom DeLouise voice) and then…. fill in with something to REALLY embarrass him. People like that guy need the tables turned on them.
Nancy Hill ( recently posted… Incidental Information
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
LOL, can you just imagine the scene?! Too funny!
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: ellytreehugger
April 11, 2015
I for insensitive and J for judgement! Sorry you had to hear such insensitive comments from someone who couldn’t mind his own business. You needn’t have justified to him of course. Hopefully you were able to enjoy the cake without guilt…and happy birthday to Peter. 🙂 <3
elly stornebrink recently posted… #A to Z Challenge: J is for (Jumping for) JOY!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
We’ll be enjoying it tonight at the party, and I’ll do my best to put the whole conversation out of my mind. Thank you for the birthday wishes for Peter!
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: shyvish
April 11, 2015
Really not something you should have gone through. Such insensitive people in this world!
Shailaja recently posted… Joy -#AtoZChallenge @AprilA2Z
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
I agree. I just can’t imagine saying something like that to someone else!
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: FranceneStanley
April 11, 2015
So sad to have to live up to other people’s expectations. Great poem and good subject.
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 11, 2015
Thanks, Francene. I wish people were less judgmental.
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – I is for…
Twitter: ajaybpai123
April 11, 2015
It’s nobody’s business. No explanations to be given. It’s my life, nobody else’s.
Ajay Pai recently posted… Oh Lord, I am Angry!
Twitter: alphabetsalad
April 12, 2015
Exactly. 🙂
Laurel Regan recently posted… NaPoWriMo + Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2015 – J is for…
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