Tit For Tat

''they said,'' i started
he cut me off
''we don't do THEY SAIDs here''
he said
''but they said this is...,'' i tried
again
another cut off
''didn't ya hear what i said.
we don't do THEY SAIDs here''
he repeated
louder this time
''so buzz off,'' he added
for good measure
then stared
with a stare so deep
it seemed
he was searching my soul
for signs of belligerence
i hope he found
a humble soul
i left
they went
and said it
themselves
with extra helpings
that was not given me
he came
eyes now softened
it seemed
i could look inside his soul
and see
a swirling mass
of regret
or was it indignation?
he started, ''they said...''
i cut him off
and said
calm as the Pacific Ocean
''i don't do them either''