Crabby Temperament

A harsh retort to a simple request,
a sudden slap across the face;
abuse by any standard, one that raises
the hackles along your neck,
but often times these outbursts
indicate a sublime pain
chronic and unrelenting
incurred when they were younger.

Even a docile pet will react aggressively
when a rotting tooth or cancer
develops internally. Sometimes
the cure is simple, take a nap,

get some privacy, go to the doctor

swallow a pill, talk about what hurts inside

instead of taking it out on everyone

around you.