By Kristen Alexander
The toxic one once told me he avoids me at all costs.
“I wouldn’t be at lunch with you if it wasn’t for our boss.”
Just weeks after I met him, he stormed out and slammed his door,
refused to talk it out and said that ‘fluff’s’ not what he’s for.
Said he’d do things how I’d asked, called it malicious compliance.
I never saw a day he lacked that kind of veiled defiance.
In meetings, if I questioned him, his face turned pink with rage.
Our leaders called me paranoid, likely blamed it on my age.
The team (except the leaders) all agreed he was a problem,
but no one had the guts to speak – it wasn’t their job to solve them.
With him, I always felt unsafe, so guarded and defenseless.
I’ve never had a colleague seem so angry and defensive.
The leaders will reward these men for their toxic behavior,
But when a woman acts with strength, they rarely show her favor.
He fed on praise and accolades, the leaders on him doted.
He sopped it up like bread with broth, and then he got promoted.
Kristen is an Arkansas native who has worked at UAMS for almost eight years. She earned her bachelor’s in English literature from the University of Central Arkansas and her dual master’s in public health and public service from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Clinton School of Public Service. Her typical artistic medium is textiles, such as quilts, knitting, and fabric collage. She competes in the annual SOMArdi Gras beard competition, and has been featured in “Art from the Heart”, the UAMS art show, for her homemade beards. Her 2025 beard took the “Best in Show” prize – the first time a woman won the entire contest! Kristen also sings, plays ukulele, and volunteers as a docent at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.