Clowns and Vagabonds

By Mark Tulin

I am a pushover. I let people call themselves my friends. I give clowns and vagabonds permission to insult me and stomp on my pride…
—  thedrabble.wordpress.com/2019/01/23/clowns-and-vagabonds/

Clowns and Vagabonds by Mark Tulin

I am a pushover.
I let people call themselves my friends.
I give clowns and vagabonds permission
to insult me, stomp on my pride.

I sleep with them.
Feed them meals I can’t afford.
Call them when I’m lonely.
Lend them money I don’t have
and tuck them in at night.

I let them flourish like invasive plants
ravaging my soul, pillaging my goodwill
until eventually,
they take everything I own.

If only I had a backbone.
That elusive thing called courage.
I’d draw the line clear and strong
and change the locks on my heart’s door.