Saturday Poetry

Why Must I Be Nice?

We’re at the store

and your cishet white maleness is being a bore

wanting in front of me because I have so much more

in my cart

but don’t start

I don’t have to be nice,

I’ll just ignore or decline and keep buying my rice.

Now if you’re a mom, heavy with child,

hands full of diapers and a toddler screaming wild

then by all means go before me, I can be kind

because I do get it, and I really don’t mind.

Why do the one but not do the other?

It’s my right, living my life without bother

and he already gets more than he’s entitled.

I’ve been where she’s at, always wearing that bridle.

So she deserves my kindness,

He can wait behind us.

I don’t owe anyone nice.

–Angel Beldam