The Cost of Absence

The Price of Continuance 

You’re asking me why

Why am I not taking break with y’all 

So, I’ll ask why 

Why would I 

to suffer more insults 

to hear how I’m a liar 

to hear how I am incapable 

 of the things I have done 

 for forty years 

 without extra help 

to hear how uninformed 

 my choices are 

It’s just lighthearted ribbing 

you say 

It was—

 until it wasn’t 

 until it continued 

 and continued 

until the animosity 

 toward others—

 which I ignored— 

 turned on me 

I allowed my silence 

 to speak for me

 but it was misunderstood

 so now hear my words 

Why would I?

Why would I 

 willingly 

 subject myself to that? 

 So 

 this is me 

 choosing 

 not to participate 

© Ron Simpson Jr.