Why Bother To Ask The Question Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Why is it,
Whenever I hear someone say...
'I don't care.'
I become aware that person has compassion?

'And...
What? '

What are you talking about, 'And what? '
I am asking you a question.

'How can you ask me that question,
When I wasn't there to hear?
And on a scale from one to ten...
How was that compassion you became aware of,
Felt?
Was it an eight?
Was it a five?
Was it a nine?
Do you know?
And if you do...
Why bother to ask the question! '

One day I am going to discover,
You are no longer in my mind.
And I am going to find myself a lot happier.

'And I wont?
Is that what you're saying?
Is that your implication?
If it is I can leave right now.
'Cause I don't need your cheese,
To spread on my biscuit.'