Adoptee Étude 1.1 – The Ambivalence of Connection

Why are you mad, dude?
You’re blessed.
With food, a bright future, a new groove.
Why be sad or blue?
Buck up! Have some fortitude.
What you need is some more gratitude.
To cure that grumpy attitude.

What do I do?
I don’t want to be rude.

Do I go toe to toe?

"Listen to me well, prude!
Your platitudes are nothing new.
They serve to preserve your fragile worldview.
Choosing to ignore the complexities of story lines.
Not found on the evening news.
Screw you! And screw them too!"

Or do I pull out this familiar refrain?

"I’m sorry. Of course.
You’re right, I’m wrong.
I should be grateful.
They didn’t mean it when they said that.
I’m being oversensitive.
Praise God, I’m alright."

"It’s me, not you."

What do I choose?
Any help around?
None, chief. Read the room.
It’s a disinterested brood with a blasé attitude.
Wish their foot was in my shoe.

Oh well, it’s nothing new.

Excuse me, I now retreat to some solitude.
Which I regret to inform you will preclude a connection.

The inglorious postlude of emotional solitude.

And with a curtsy, I conclude.