when fragile 

comes to call

a visit has often 

recently occurred

by cousin ‘should’

who whispers,

foul breath upon

our necks, that

mistakes should

not be made, or 

the responsibility

of the happiness

of others should

be ours to bear,

or we should

not have needs 

of our own.

~~~~

he is an ungrateful 

guest and the only 

‘should’ we need 

take notice of then 

is that we should 

show him the door. 

then shut it firm

and tight, breathe

deep of air without

his stench and make

choices without

his crafty, filthy lies. 

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022