Help Wanted

I’m unlike myself these past two days, I’m told 

while I try to keep my head down 

and bridle my tongue

because this is not the time and place

for a hard conversation 

because my problem 

is neither professional nor personal 

but our oblivious, self-serving ways 

Little did I know 

that I would be presented with 

the option for 

professional help 

And when you think you’re entitled to 

my amateur assistance  

and all I can feel is the weight 

of the darkest shadows,

of the wrongs that I speak against 

but enable in action - 

I lose the courage that I had yesterday 

to stand up to you 

to tell you 

that I can’t do this anymore 

I hate that I have to be the one to tell you 

I hate that your unknowing gets the best of you 

I pridefully wish there were more of me 

to divide the responsibilities you 

delegate, delegate, delegate 

to me 

because all of me knows

that I can’t count on you 

to work on

what is just as much as yours to do 

as is mine