Respect Is Automatic Until
Respect is automatic
until they have double-crossed you six times
spit in your underwear
and you have caught them in their eighth lie
Respect is cheerfully given
unless they hurt your feelings good and hard
unless they trip you at the top of the stairs
unless you overhear them making fun of you again
Respect is eagerly available
until they remind you of someone else
who has disrespected, hurt or betrayed you
If they do, it’s all over before it gets started.
Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2020
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