Sleazy (Note Left In A Returned Paperback) Poem by Glen Martin Fitch

How dare you?
You thought,
no, you assumed
I would...
because you did
that I might too.
And if I don't?

Just because you flirt at bookstores,
wander the library stacks,
scan the trade at swap meets,
finger, even buy on occasion
You think I'd be interested too?
Hope you enjoy them.
I guess when done or bored
(or challenged) you just pass them on.

I don't take
such things lightly.
I seek, crave,
experiences,
committing time
and effort.
I risk. I trust.

Each time I allow myself to be
surprised, teased, tricked, touched,
even shocked, hurt, but never cheated.
No matter what the outcome
I expect to learn, see the world anew,
feel, meet at least one other soul.

Frankly,
you don't know me
well enough.
Sorry, Thank you
I DO thank you,
but, please,
no hard feelings,
just take back this book.