I wonder why

when I give someone an inch

they take a mile without

even a flinch

I use to be bighearted and

free with generosity

until I was rewarded in turn

with resentment and hostility

so many times I’ve sacrificed

to help someone out

gave them the chance to get on

their feet and about

but once they settled in and

got comfortable

it’s impossible telling them

when it’s time to go

they get angry and act as if

I am “putting them out”

sometimes they even swear

pout or shout

what all starts as a “good deed”

on my part

ends up being a lot of pain

in my heart

I want so bad to do what

is good and right

but it all backfires and

it’s such a fight

if someone threw me a rope

and pulled me ashore

I’d rejoice with pleasure

and not expect more

but these destitute people

I reach out to

have no gratitude or even

appreciate what I do

I have so little to give

it saddens my heart

yet those I try to help

tear me apart

I can’t understand why

they do me this way

destroying my faith in

wanting to help again someday

sometimes good deeds are

taken and abused

leaving the “giver” feeling

sad and terribly “USED”