I'd Be

I'd be happy to listen to you,
If you had interesting things to say,
I'd be happy to be more attentive,
If you'd bothered to be at home today.
I'd be happy to massage your shoulders,
If you'd appreciate it,
I'd be happy to care about you,
If about me you gave a shit.
I'd be happy to teach you life lessons,
If them you'd agree to learn,
I'd be happy to pack your things,
If you'd promise not to return.

I was cranky with a demanding parent from school and transposed the anger to a relationship to make it more real – readers could identify with that subject better than a school parent. It’s about connecting with your audience. For example, if I wrote a poem on writing a school budget and made it factual, it would be a waste of time to show it to anyone. I would feel better and often write about something to get it off my chest or to make a decision or to convince myself that I’m doing the right thing - I’ve got over 2000 poems that I have written for myself that I won’t ever show anyone.