Dues Paid

Few conscious refuse the dues they pay.
To even know or be aware of it.
With this done to do in ways sacrificial.

Turning their backs away,
From possessions once to have.
To be of service to others without thought.
Of what is done to do or prove to anyone,
A suspected wish to get attention...
Is as distant from their minds,
To invite or find the time for it.

Then years go by fast and swift.
Leaving one to periodically reminisce.
What they did to do to be reminded of it.
When questioned about 'things'.
Once to have proudly to possess.

'The only time I think of things like that,
Is when you mention it.
As if to satisfy your curiosity.
I guess whatever I then had to possess,
Belongs to someone else now.'

'Is that all you have to say?'

'If I did,
What difference would it make?
In worth or value?'

'That depends upon your point of view.'

'Would that increase,
Your appreciation of what I did to do?
Or...
Depreciate a pretentiousness,
To make me feel less deserving...
Of yours.'

'That's not a fair assessment to assume.'

'You brought what I had to once have,
To my attention.
Whenever that time is found convenient.
Now...
From your point of view or mine,
Should I feel disappointed?
You know...
Without assuming to assess,
What is or not fair to suspect...
Your intention brought to my attention.
Not me but you,
To now and then on your mind...
Kept to keep addressed!'

'I...I'm just curious that's all.'

'Well...
That keeps us both similar 'cats!'

'I don't understand.'

'Although...
I will admit,
My dues to pay to do it done...
Is less of a curiosity for me,
Than it is for some...
Believing they have 9 lives to live.
For me?
I'm only familiar with one.