I Deserve

Last night I attended a Berea College Creative Writing Group session with Libby Jones.  I was impressed with the raw talent that shone through many of the students there.  Many of us chose to write on the prompt, "I deserve a..."  Here is the poem I wrote. It's meant to be about people who become consumed by feelings of entitlement and are unable to enjoy their lives for what they are.

I Deserve

I am an honest man

I work without complaint

I finish all my chores

I’m a conscientious saint.

But who is there to see it?

Is it just too much to ask

For some appreciation

When I finish every task.

I deserve a pension.

I deserve a raise.

I deserve a holiday.

I deserve more praise.

Why does no one listen?

Why does no one care?

I just want what’s owed to me.

I just want what’s fair.

I deserve more free time

I deserve less strife.

I deserve more friends.

I deserve a life.

This world is full of fuck ups

Yet I’m the only one

Who seems to be unhappy

When all is said and done.

I deserve a woman

To share my home and bed

To adore me every moment

And love me till we’re dead

What am I doing wrong?

I cannot understand

Why life should be so dismal

So colorless and bland.