I Have Paid

I suppose it goes without saying that I have paid time and attention,

The latter undivided, the former with excited enthusiasm,

Though I suppose those goods are common; if you prefer instead

Something special and unique, I've devoted my poetry to getting in your head.

I've given you my body – in pieces, though you've now had half the pie –

A hand, my arm, my shoulder (and a leg up) since first you caught my eye.

To put it that way sounds like prostitution-by-exchange,

and while I'm increasingly aware how deadly crass it is

To put the life-giving pursuit of happiness like this

I believe that I have paid.

I may be owed some change.