POETRY PROMPT: STATE OF AFFAIRS

Neither your tears, nor your weariness mean a thing

Even as the morning breaks

The fitful noise that they make—

Not alarm,  nor emergency

But an arrogant demand

That you should have no need 
Of rest, self-care, or sleep

Not a kind word do they speak
Every statement is curt, and cold
Every day, they sit and brood, 

And hope to find some flaw
Some reason to accuse; 

To diminish what you do
While you work at keeping their affairs in line

There is no empathy, nor gratitude

They think their name, alone, should motivate you

To answer every fitful beck and call

Even when there’s no urgency

They want to see how fast you run

Each day a test

Each day, your back is against a wall

Their complaints and criticisms

Leave your character in tatters

Tales one-sided; with no bearing on the truth

Their aim is to gain sympathy

They so long for the company

Of those who have more pressing things to do

They expect you to simply be

But don’t dare appear to live, or thrive

How do they all forget the ills that brought you there?

Your perceived comfort makes them rage, and so

They're desperate to find fault

And make sure harmony's not present anywhere

But, of all those who do impede

Who try to make your gift a chore

Of all those who'd bring chaos and discord to bear

The last one you’d expect to break your spirit;
Or bring you grief

Is the one whose plight demanded you be there

What you don't do is forget
You have concerns; affairs
Things that are yours that need tending
As much as you tend theirs
Never lose sight of the state of your own
As you restore what is not yours
Note what in your life needs mending

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