Those Free Fee Days Without Acknowledgement Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If I am to become of service to you...
At who's expense,
Would my deeds be dispersed...
And dispensed?

What would be the benefit...
If I should exhaust my time,
Just for the goodness of it?

And if I am expected to produce my best...
Would you make it a priority,
To ensure my needs are met?

And when I am done to your satisfaction...
Would you make it clear,
Your appreciation is sincere?

Or would you do like others have done...
Take full credit!
To leave me with none.
And left ignore to make comments...
Like I've heard before,
'Why should you expect anything...
For something you do,
That comes so easy for you! '

So don't take offense,
If I mention I like to eat.
And my needs require a fee.

Since begging to me,
No longer returns a dollar...
Or makes sense.
Especially when my time I have spent!
While others offer nothing,
But a look of surprise when I make hints...
That my bills need to be paid.
Also my rent!

'You are either going to feed me...
Pay me!
Or never bother me again!
And if you choose to pay me...
It will be the fee I say.

Those free fee days without acknowledgement,
Have gone!
If I'm gonna slave like I did in those days...
These days I want to get paid!
With a clarity of my wants and needs exchanged,
Appropriately with compensation.'