Dealing With People Who Anger You Poem by RIC BASTASA

you are angry
and you will be dealing with people now in anger
you face your detractors
you pretend you do not know what they are doing to you
you face them still
you whistle you smile you pretend you like them
you hold them with gentleness in their arms
wish them all the luck in their endeavors
give them money
feed them
tender the nicest dinner possible in that expensive restaurant
talk like you are the best entertainer in the world
ask them if they are sad
or anxious
stare at them a little bit
but still glow that look acceptable
to your betrayers
make them feel that you are not affected
(hide your anger
in the smile and laughter you always share with them)

let us see who will explode
let us find out where the bomb is

the terrorist in you is the most civil servant of them all