Immolation of a Language

Last night

I had a glorious dream

or a horrific nightmare

I'm still not sure

I'll let you decide

A grey day

A cold rain

A punishing wind

and a conditioned journey through it

for a simple cup of coffee

I waited patiently in line

as the feeling returned to my fingertips

and the muted sound

of holiday music

filled the air

While nature was busy outside

bringing Autumn to a dismal close

I placed my order

and quietly stepped aside

It was warm in here

The young man approached

my beverage in hand

and as he repeated its contents back to me

he made a small Freudian slip of the tongue

that included a vulgarity I will not repeat here

Of it, he was unaware

until his gaze caught mine

I was smiling

not offended as the drink exchanged hands

it was a simple and honest mistake

He realized his blunder

He let a small grin creep across his lips

Then he looked right into my soul with his dead eyes

and said out loud... and I quote

"LOL"

First anger

then rage

then fury swelled up behind my eyes

He couldn't have simply laughed?

He had to say it?

I began to tremble

it was too much to bear

it was coming unconstrained

and with the full force of my hatred

I set him ablaze with my mind

I sipped my coffee

calmly, as I watched him burn

from flesh

to bone

to ash

No one made a sound

even the holiday melodies fell silent

I felt vindicated

a just punishment

for such a flagrant abuse

I stepped outside

to face nature once again

She was entirely indifferent to my actions

It was still raining

It was still cold

I think I'll stay inside today

and stick with only tea

just in case

another corruptor of MY language

happens to spark my ire