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A Day in the Life

There's just no helping some people.
You talk, you advise
pretending not to notice
the dazed look in their eyes.
Knowing the entire time
You're only going to find yourself
repeating the same
over
and over
again.

But I keep on talking
they keep on nodding
until the point
my own nerves
can no longer handle the sound of my voice
still repeating
energy depleting

There was a time when I had much more energy
to handle the inefficiency of the conversation
but no more.
Take your nodding head elsewhere
Take your relentless demands elsewhere
I'm not quite hungry enough
to forfeit my inner peace
for the sake of a payday
that may never come.

This time
the contract is terminated
at my insistence
because I have better things to do
and better people to talk to.

This JOB is NOT my life
and I will hold no guilt because I want to live it.

So...if this is the price I have to pay for sneaking in a day off on a long weekend, so be it.  And when you're coming off your turkey buzz to visit with Joe Hesch, tending bar for this weeks OpenLinkNight at dVersePoets...there ain't nothing I can't handle.  Feeling the frustration evaporating! See you soon Poets.
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Brian Miller said…
sometimes you just have to cut it off...or take a stand....i have been there with this...particularly when i was counseling people...look you do it or dont but stop wasting my time...the only one you are hurting is yourself...


hope you had a great turkey day tash....mine is coming...
October 9, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Dawn Pisturino said…
One thing I learned as a registered nurse -- you can't change anyone or help anyone who won't help themselves. All you can do is help the ones who really want it.
October 9, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Unknown said…
This has been on my mind lately, how to respond and I came up with (again) disengage. So wonderful to hear your words of wisdom and be reminded. Hope you had a lovely holiday weekend.
October 9, 2012 at 4:17 PM
mrs mediocrity said…
Yes, that is such a tough place to be. A few years back I decided that I can only control my own actions, no one else's. I have to remind myself of this often when I get in situations like this, but it always helps to get me through.

Happy Thanksgiving!
October 9, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Mary said…
I hear you on this. Sometimes after a while it isn't worth while to continue to hold the same conversations that go nowhere. Better to save your energy and disengage. (Sometimes, however, not easy to do!!)
October 9, 2012 at 4:34 PM
Robert Gibson: PWES Editor said…
"
This JOB is NOT my life
and I will hold no guilt because I want to live it."

Well ended! Great piece!
October 9, 2012 at 4:37 PM
Anonymous said…
You have NO IDEA how much I relate to this poem. Day in day out I'm barely able to make my feelings towards people, and its not that they are bad people, it's the environment.....it becomes 'un- life'....where meaningless issues suddenly hold weight and urgency and people become tedious morons....I hate it....and love THIS
October 9, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Pat Hatt said…
Some people just need to take a hike
Go get run over by a bike
And leave you the hell alone
Or you might hit them in the face with your phone haha
October 9, 2012 at 4:56 PM
Jennifer Wagner said…
There's just no helping some people.
...yep, got that right. I like how this gives the sense of "shaking it off"...most definitely have to some days.
October 9, 2012 at 5:27 PM
vivinfrance said…
You got it off your chest, and I'm sure you feel a great deal better - you will feel even more so after a dram or two from bartender Joseph and a good wallow in some more poetry.
October 9, 2012 at 5:35 PM
Wolfsrosebud said…
... and along with that thought is the comment, "Sure we need to get-together sometime... soon." Right, it never happens. Such fronts people can put on.
October 9, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Sharp Little Pencil said…
Is this really your "job," or do you see it as one of those crappy vocations you're stuck with because you're a good listener? I have friends who ONLY call me when they are getting a divorce, their house burned down, or they want advice and do that same dumb staring back thing. I'm NOT their therapist, and I have learned (being mentally ill and needing to take care of myself) that the best way to shut them up is... suggest counseling, ha ha ha!! Works like a charm. Love, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/10/04/little-lajwanti-lost-brothels-of-india/
October 9, 2012 at 7:50 PM
Chasing Tao said…
Excellent Natasha! Just excellent and yes indeed, "There's just no helping some people."

What more can I say, but Kudos Natasha! You got it!

Roger ☺
October 9, 2012 at 8:12 PM
Myrthryn said…
I, too, hate it when one gets harassed for advice and never will follow it. Almost as tiring as holding two Mormon elders on my porch for forty five minutes.
October 9, 2012 at 8:27 PM
Joan Barrett Roberts said…
Exactly said . . .

sometimes we have to remember that really the only person we can really save is ourselves!

thanks - for a great reminder
October 9, 2012 at 8:48 PM
henry clemmons said…
Don;t be bashful. Tell us how you feel, Very strong communication. I hope things work out. I don't want thoughts of you huddled around a fire this time of year. I enjoyed the read, but not the reality of your words. Change come!
October 9, 2012 at 8:57 PM
Serena said…
Oh can I relate to this! I want to make a banner out of your words and post it where I can see it and never forget it's okay to take care of yourself and not feel guilty! It seems the ones who want to complain the most don't really want to change... they just want to suck your energy.

BTW - thank you for your lovely comment at my site today. It is very much appreciated.
October 9, 2012 at 9:15 PM
emmett wheatfall said…
So true, Natasha; so true. I love the reality, the actuality of your poetry. Most often it's never abstract, but touches the heart and the soul. Beautiful my dear poetic friend.
October 9, 2012 at 9:23 PM
my heart's love songs said…
i think the older we get, the more precious time becomes and the less patient we are with those who waste it.

great write!
♥
October 9, 2012 at 9:42 PM
Mark Kerstetter said…
You speak the truth. Save your energy for when it matters.
October 9, 2012 at 10:12 PM
Unknown said…
Sorry you had a frustrating day, but hopefully you can drown out the frustration with a little bit of poetry and poet love :)
October 9, 2012 at 10:14 PM
Glenn Buttkus said…
It took me fifty years to learn to "listen", really listen when someone else is speaking. Just let go of your need to effect others, say what is in your heart and let the words and sentiments fly like birds freed from a cage, fueled by the winds of love.
October 9, 2012 at 10:14 PM
Ginny Brannan said…
"This JOB is NOT my life
and I will hold no guilt because I want to live it."

Oh how often I've wished I could take a stand and shout these words! Liked this one Natasha. There are times when we need to walk away. Excellent piece!
October 9, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Steve King said…
Tash--Yes, letting go can be the hardest thing and the best thing...sharp and to the point here--artfully done. Nice job all around.
October 10, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Unknown said…
I don't offer unsolicited advice and tread carefully when guidance is requested. I avoid the succubi!
October 10, 2012 at 12:50 AM
1emeraldcity said…
O, Tash, been there done that too many times. You can't get blood from a stone, and those who will not help themselves...well it's too frustrating beating your head against a door that will not open. You are right to end it and pursue more fruitful paths. Great write..good reminder for all of us!
October 10, 2012 at 1:04 AM
Dana Dampier said…
I deal with people like this daily and it drives me nuts! I definitely use to be more patient, but now I just have to speak my mind. Life is too short.
October 10, 2012 at 1:44 AM
Timoteo said…
Love the fire of this one. I am reminded of that old country song; "Take This Job And Shove It"

October 10, 2012 at 2:06 AM
Unknown said…
Totally resonates. Awesome job illustrating the concerns, the frustration and really painting the point perfectly. Totally feel this. Great write Tash
October 10, 2012 at 2:48 AM
marousia said…
This resonated with me - it is hard to cut off without guilt - I love your stand - there is a great deal of wisdom in this poem
October 10, 2012 at 4:17 AM
adan said…
like a personal declaration of independence, yeah!

true true true -

"I'm not quite hungry enough
to forfeit my inner peace"

thanks tash!
October 10, 2012 at 7:29 AM
Susie Clevenger said…
When you have reached the limit, the chord is cut. I have experienced this recently. "I am not quite hungry enough to forfeit my inner peace for a payday that many never come." Bravo!!
October 10, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Anonymous said…
Time to move on. The friend who bemoans the same condition each time you meet; the business owner who cites the same insecurities but does nothing to rectify them; the parent who constantly complains about his/her child's academic indifference: These people do not seek help but rather they crave, validation.
October 10, 2012 at 6:04 PM
Marbles in My Pocket said…
The voice of Charlie Brown's teacher comes to mind as I read this. Sometimes, all we hear is wha whaah wah wahh wa wah. And, sometimes I catch myself making the same noise! Excellent write,Tash! Very thought provoking.
October 11, 2012 at 7:49 AM
hyperCRYPTICal said…
Sometimes we have to break the tie, terminate the contract - for our own sake...

Anna :o]
October 11, 2012 at 10:48 AM
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