Etiquette.

[addy]

Walking on toothpicks Never heard of this expression (if it is one, that is) but the image is intriguing nonetheless
is a little like walking on cliché,
eggshells or the broken glass
of Annie Lennox etc. not fond of the etc
Except one gets splinters
in one's metaphorical feet
when one walks on toothpicks.

In reality and outside word-smithing; I think you can take out the dash

we just tiptoe through the minefields
of the living room and kitchen.
Change the channel and start WW3,
make oneself a brew and Hitler
in comparison, becomes a saint
of Austrian choirboys with Jewish parents. LOL

The proportion of hate apportioned is exponential
to the square root of selfish. dry, witty, delicious.
"you could have made us a cuppa you lazy bastard"
they whine and sit on their fat arses in unison.
Staring you down in the Harvey's
adverts on Coronation Street.
"Get us a Kitkat from the shops love.
Put the kids to bed love.
Wash the pots love.
Walk the dog love"

"No!" I scream (period)

"What's wrong?" they ask mutedly.
"You don't fucking live here" I reply.

My neighbour gives me the key to next door;
"That's okay love, go turn the heating on and makes us a cuppa".

A great lampoon of social niceties. Not much to change in this one. I cringe to hear what you go through, but at least the upside is you wrote a great poem from it