Complaints

 Let me be honest.

I wasn't supposed to be here.

Yes,

  I am getting ready to start complaining.

I am supposed to be a hermit.

Walk around in nature,

 and be by myself.

No.

It doesn't work that way,

  and I blame this for turning my hair grey.

Doing someone else's time.

Before you think I am simply whining,

 I do realize the joy.

After the kid is raised,

 I can move into the woods.

They can visit,

 but I get to be grumpy.

Hard for a hermit to draw the line.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I love the grumpy honesty of your rantings here. I feel very much the same way, especially if I’d had kids. I’m so glad I don’t have to do any obligatory family stuff anymore. Everyone has written me off & I’m fine with that! *smile* Face-to-face with humans makes me jittery anymore! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Jon Roggie]

I felt I should put it out there.
I may perform these tasks willingly,
but it does not require me acting pleasantly.

[Chris Shaw]

Conversational, which I like and you also bring your sense of humour into your writing again, which always makes me smile, even though your poem is about a serious subject. Nicely expressed Jon.

Chris

[Jon Roggie]

Perfect timing. I sit down for a moment, and try to respond. The kid walks in so I can open a bottle for her.
I like writing as if I am talking face to face.
It feels more true to the meaning.

As far as the humour,
I would rather laugh than cry.

Whoever said that first,
I give full credit.

Jon

[Lorry]

I have noticed that the more you want to be on your own, the more ways other people find of stopping you from doing just that. It's nice for people to care, but they should listen instead of forcing what they think is best.
Yours sincerely,

Apprentice recluse.

[Jon Roggie]

I see your point.
Part of the reason for caller ID.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Great poem that says much in its brevity. Love the presentation as a conversation between poet and reader. Minimalist, eloquent, strong and plaintive at the same time. “I am supposed to be a hermit.”- aah ‘the best laid plans of mice and men’....Don’t we know it! Life gets in the way. Love the wry and touching love and humor of this- it so resonates. “They can visit, but I get to be grumpy.”- best line ever! Kudos.

[Jon Roggie]

I am the grumpy old uncle.
Makes it easier to talk with the young ones.
Now,
if only they wouldn't talk so much.