Looking Uncomfortable Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Why didn't you give me a signal?
Before I opened my mouth.
Did you see the picture of their first grandchild,
Before I did?

'Yes, I did.
But your reaction?
Was really out of line.
If you thought the child,
Looked unusual...
You should not have exclaimed,
The child looked like a baboon.
Wrapped too tightly in that blanket.
Looking uncomfortable.
I thought it myself!
But did I say anything? '

No.
No you did not.
But that comment you made,
About taking your children to the zoo...
This weekend,
Wasn't appropriate either.

'That had nothing to do with it.
I take my children to the zoo every weekend.
In fact...
They know that.
Before you appeared...
That had been the conversation.
And...
We were all going before you showed up.'