Not To Take What They Do That Deep Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

There are people who can not pretend,
They can show to have their empathy believed...
With a giving it to others under any circumstances.
That's how deeply they have become involved,
With themselves and their immediate perceived needs.
Are you listening?

'Yes.
As if I have a choice.'

To then suspect their pretentiousness goes unnoticed.
That their pre-meditated giving does not detect a selfishness.

'Really?
I can't believe what I hear and my ears are all yours.'

And then to test,
Their fake sincerity given is not suspected...
That they wish from others something to get.
And then on top of this...
Those who do give and it is heartfelt in the doing,
Do no expect others to think of them as fools.
Even though some do.
Some don't.
And then some refuse to choose not to take what they do,
That deep.

'And you? '

Don't stray away from the topic.
This is obviously not about me.

'I see.
May I ask you a question? '

Sure.
Don't be so ridiculous.

'Now that we are 'not' obviously talking about you.
Can you be less obvious in the talking about me? '

Of course.
Let's talk about my expectations.

'And mine? '

There you go.
Always wanting it to be about you.