"THE ANNUAL SCRUTINY AND JUDGMENT"

You say it's just a talk,

like normal people making a conversation

It's part of being social,

despite the annual scrutiny and judgment

"Hello, there

Have you gained weight?

Sorry, your change's quite drastic there

No worries, you can lose it again

and also look great"

"So, any boyfriend lately?

No, how come?

Don't you get lonely?

Let me introduce you to someone I know

You should give this one a go?"

"When are you getting married?

Come on, remember your age

You're already qualified as an old maid

Fetch a man with a better bait"

"Hey, you two look great

Wait, no kids yet?

Have you tried any methods?

Come on, every married couple wants kids"

"Your little one is gorgeous

Have another one or two

It'll be much more glorious

and your first one will have playmates too"

"Don't give me that frown

You know I care, right?

I don't mean to bring you down

I just want what's best for you

so no need to pick a fight"

Uh, excuse me?

Breathe...breathe...breathe...

You say it's just a talk

This conversation has been normalised

far way too damn long

Oh, well - it's the risk of being social

the annual scrutiny and judgment

for everything that's considered wrong!

R.