Enough (2007 Gold Star)

It’s never appreciative enough.
When you demand gratitude,
You expect me to bow down.
A simple “Thank you” will not suffice;
You want my every limb in submission
To drop for your servitude.

It’s never conscientious enough.
When you demand attention,
You refuse my eyes a single blink.
A simple “I understand” will not suffice;
You want my every particle focused,
As though you are existence itself.

It’s never dedicated enough.
When you demand devotion,
You expect my total admiration.
A simple “I love you” will not suffice;
You want every caring emotion I possess
To adhere itself to you alone.

To appreciate, you demand I bleed.
To be attentive, you demand I go blind.
To admire, you demand I be numb.
To you, no one else carries importance;
You are the utmost, first and foremost,
The end-all-be-all.

When my existence fades,
Will what I ever gave, said, did, felt-
Ever be
ENOUGH
To quench your own being,
Or will all my efforts claim my last breath?

~J.N.R. 5/21/07~