Common Courtesy

Common Courtesy

Could you ever find in your hardened heart,
masterfully hidden beyond the shadows,
an inkling of common courtesy?

Your shrewd appraisal of
all that I hold dear has caused
me to diminish as a human.

Common courtesy. Yes.
Bleed it dry, for it will supply what
you need to sustain decency.

Courtesy costs nothing to house,
but when offered to another
pays a great return.

Stepping out only means
stumbling about
as if in a drunken haze.

But no.
I shall not be
thrown to the wolves.

I have made corrections,
let go of mishaps
and am focused ahead.

Still, I find myself
half-naked in a
world full of suits.

You have spat upon my spirit
with your discouraging, berating
phrases and your heavy hand.

Even as I try to put thoughts to paper,
I am belittled by the words
coming from your eyes.