From My Mouth Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Your giving to me,
What it is 'you' think...
I deserve.
Is appreciated.
However,
Whatever it may be...
Will never come close,
To that which I know...
Has been earned in sacrifice.

"Where is this coming from? "

From my mouth to your ears.
Not to disrespect,
What it is you offer.
But just to make clear,
My experiences to pay...
In dues alone,
That price I have paid...
You could never match.

"You must have forgotten.
Remember when I asked you,
How much you wanted...
For an old lamp,
You were throwing away.
And you said I could have it? "

Yes. I remember.

"Well...
I decided your offer,
Was just too generous.
So this envelop I hand to you,
Has money in it.
But if you don't want it,
I can..."

Just a second.
What's your hurry.
Some folks are so ungrateful, huh?
HOW MUCH? !