The Passive-Aggressive Roommate's Sonnet

I noticed that the dishes weren't done.

*No worries*—written in a note that is

entirely worries, punctuated with

a smiley face that means the opposite.

I've labeled all my shelves in cheerful font.

The passive-aggression is a love tongue.

We're fine. Completely fine. It's totally fine.

(The note on the milk says it's technically mine.)

And yet we make this work, year after year,

two strangers sharing walls and wi-fi codes,

negotiating silence, temperature,

and whose turn it is to change the toilet rolls.

Some bonds are built on love. Some build on spite.

I relabeled your mug. Have a good night.