Today, I was, as the kids say,
yelled at.
but it wasn’t a yell really – that would be loud, right?
it was a quiet aggression
dismissive
condescending
belittling

I actually couldn’t believe it

It’s unbelievable
to be spoken to like that
It feels like
yelled at
is the only way to convey the experience

I wanted
help
I got
a biting tone

I took a deep breath
I said,
“I know you might be upset,
but
the way you are talking to me
is
not
helpful.”

Now, hours later
I wonder
about the young people who are
yelled at
like this —

What can
they
say?