Give And Take (Poetry)

What I once gave I can’t take back —
that gift can’t be returned
it’s all too clear the price I paid
was more than you had earned.

I placed no limit on my time —
the total cost was great
I mortgaged every dream I had —
put up my life’s estate

invested all my hopes in you
imagined you might see
the value of those hours spent —
each moment given free.

’Though there’s no way to measure love —
no scale to weigh its worth
deep down in you there seemed to be
a paucity — a dearth.

You simply took it as your due —
my gift so rashly made —
you never gave a passing thought
to kindness or fair trade.