NaBloPoMo 2021
The cultural connotations of eating together are obvious, but some people may have life threatening allergies, conditions like celiac disease or even gross intolerances to certain foods that they are unwilling to disclose to casual acquaintances. This poem echoes their sentiment (inspired by a description of life with celiac disease).

It’s that anxiety provoking time for me
When I try to fill my plate and sit down nervously
I was having fun at the party so far, but now
Comes the hard part for me- I cannot allow
Myself to be carried away at the smell and sight
Of gourmet food, I have to ensure I eat right
I am used to it now, actually, it’s easy enough to be judicious
But eating in company, with a spread of food delicious
Is my worst nightmare, I get socially awkward
I try to justify why I am “eating like a bird”
*
I am not on a diet to lose weight, but my
Vociferous explanation no one does buy
When people say one bite would not lead to weight gain
I feel frustrated, it is difficult to explain
Why I cannot partake of this communal activity
Why eating certain things is forbidden for me
No, I am not trying to say the food is not good
If I could eat even a little bit of everything, taste it I would
It is not as simple as making up for calories
With a more intense workout next day, hear me please
I tense up just thinking of the consequence if I
Exercised indiscretion even once, the stakes are too high
If I give into peer pressure and take but a bite
I would be sick pretty soon, I keep that in sight
*
When people finally hear me, to help me they try
They offer to fix something else for me, and suddenly I
Become the object of attention, feeling much worse
For creating such a fuss, my dietary restriction is a curse
I still end up disappointing them anyway
I wish the subject of food would go away
*
Sitting together to eat and sharing food are
The most universal social customs by far
Celebration involves dining together inevitably
What should bring joy provokes anxiety regrettably
Here’s a plea to everyone- if you ever see
Someone looking anxious at a table with a plate empty
Try, if you can, to refrain from offering them food
And if they refuse, know that they are not being rude..
That has got to be, not only hard, but also dangerous for you. Why can’t people just say ‘OK’ and let it drop? I’ve been vegetarian for most my life, and still I get comments like, ‘you have no idea what you’re missing (the turkey/gravy).’ Good luck!
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