the lipstick on your teeth

just sayin ...

there is a falsity
to your laugh --
that rings hollow
to ears that
pay attention.

you grit your teeth
when someone
points out the tiny
bit of food above
your lip.

you would sooner
go a day with pants on
inside out
than have someone
let you know.

the lipstick
on your teeth
looks fabulous darling,
I hear it's the latest
in fashion.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

even good girls
need correcting
now and again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

peas,
and
carrots,
two separate
entities
on a
compartmentalized plate.

unlike
the dish
you like to
serve
to me
together,
venom and hate.

Author's Note

Reviews

[Matching Socks]

Hmm, yeah. I don't get why people can't accept they are less than perfect.

If the jeans make me look fat, please tell me! If I've got a booger, same!

Criticism is tricky. I've seen it delivered very constructively yet still people get defensive.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, I know this all too well. I once told a person that relationships were built on what the two people find mutually useful to each other, be it emotional, intellectual, or otherwise. She then took that to mean that I was "using" her. Dealing with such sensitivity, constantly walking on eggshells and trying not to ever offend is exhausting.:)

[Matching Socks]

Yes, it is very exhausting. I agree. :)

[GreenShoes]

This is a very interesting poem. There are people who get great enjoyment from believing they know more than you do. For you to point out something to them just infuriates them. Yes, they would rather have the lipstick on their teeth than for you to show them they have an imperfection. To them it's "How dare you?"

Nicely done. :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks for stopping in. I will be sure to check you out when I come back.

[Lydia Shutter]

Some people believe they are perfect and take offense at any small criticism....no matter how right it might be. The image of lipstick on the teeth is perfect. No one is perfect. Not even the fashion plate with "perfect" makeup. Oh, and KL? You don't need to eat those damned peas and carrots. Skip right to dessert! :) I liked this a lot. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks a lot. Retrospective hurts sometimes linger -- ever told a person they look nice and they somehow take it wrong? Sometimes things are exactly as they seem to be, and people need to look inside themselves and see why they take the smallest suggestion negatively. Thank you for stopping in.

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so right. I don't understand the attitude some people have. It enters the room before they do!

[Lyn Anderson]

that sounds like a poem -- I may just have to go with that.:)

[Lydia Shutter]

please do....and then let me know you have posted it in a message. I would love to read it. Later**

[Coyote Poetry]

I do like the poem. Honest tones and words. My favorite.
"even good girls
need correcting
now and again."
The above lines. Truer than true. Thank you dear friend for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you for stopping by.

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure and you are welcome.

[barleygirl]

Whoa! I was directed to read you poem by someone who implied that it was written about her!?!?! It doesn't matter. This is very brilliantly written & powerful. I love a straightforward message like this, which resonates with most everyone, & the imagery is top notch, starting with the title. Good job!

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you, and it's funny how people see themselves in another write. The person of whom I was thinking, doesn't even wear lipstick anymore, but hey, I am glad you enjoyed.

[highonwords]

there is an undertone of annoyance and aggression between two people here, especially the one being corrected - pride gets in the way of improvement - it is exasperating to deal with this kind of person, especially when one's remark/observation is meant well and conveyed properly, personally without condescension, without malice/meanness - best to stay away from such kind of person, after the first two or three warnings that is taken with hate and ingratitude

always,
steph

[Lyn Anderson]

such is the penalty for being straightforward, and nice. You know I am never offended when someone makes suggestions, even if I disagree, and neither are you. :)

[highonwords]

you're welcome, kl, - you have never been mean to me - thank you :)

regards,
steph

[Lyn Anderson]

nor have you. differences of opinion and our ability to see each others' viewpoints are what make people great.

[Einstein Noodle]

oooooooooooo girl fight!! ;) one has to laugh with others at ourselves no doubt about it ..this girl hasn't learned the joy yet has she? i should probably not say but a while back i went to pee and could not find the damn fly ...one really does have to laugh right!? i had put the undies on backwards ... had to show my wife so we could laugh together ..and she really laughed ..me-thinks perhaps too much! :}
E.
ps you have done a fine job in describing the falsity of our nature ... putting on faces ... masking the real person ... great ending ..wraps it up to a "t"

[Lyn Anderson]

Hasn't everyone known someone who you are scared to point the broccoli between their teeth because they will get upset?

[Einstein Noodle]

yes ... of course ... for me it is always a dilemma ..to tell or not to tell .. i try to buck up and let them know discreetly (especially at work) because its is after all the right thing to do :) and if its self discovered most would think of all those they faced and wonder why in the world they did not say something ... like an enemy or something ... we are peculiar are we not!??

[V]

I can sense a tension, maybe even a frustration in an almost aggressive way. Though I also had to chuckle at your writing. Everyone needs to be corrected at times, even the most perfect seeming ones as it's just "nobody's perfect ". Does obviously not appeal to some people in this world. ^^ Can be really annoying if you're forced to deal with this attitude.

[Lyn Anderson]

I would say more frustration than aggression. I have a friend who can dish it out but can't take it.

[V]

I think we all know one of those people... ^^

[NoelHC]

Hmm, has somebody been caught out? Where did that damn lipstick come from, I wonder?
Venom and hate can be a bitter thing to partake of from a compartmentalized plate.

[Lyn Anderson]

oh, no, just a little snip of a thing -- this is about a person who can't stand to be corrected, even when she should be

[JC]

This has an intensity and tightness, a tenseness. I had images of someone very concerned about their appearance to the point of compulsive denial and this other person that has a hatred for her...but all with an underlying sexual vibe - good girls need correcting- But that may just be the guy in me. Dig the write..

[Lyn Anderson]

All very intentional, the tenseness, and the vibe, thank you for reading and reviewing.