Scorekeeper

Here is a link to my YouTube channel, where you can find me reading my poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsFfqF7Cuhc

You will meet
people
in life who
love to keep score.
"I've done this for you, so
you should do that for me."
They keep a mental ledger.
They're pathetic.
Nothing is ever done out of
the goodness of their heart.
Their mind clicks with
records and accounts.
They are slaves to the
almighty penny.
Nothing you do will
ever
count anyway.
You're always in
the red.

Author's Note

My three recently published books: Seedy Town Blues: Collected Poems, It's Just a Hop, Skip, and a Jump to the Madhouse, and Sleep Always Calls. They are available on Amazon.

Reviews

[red93]

True words indeed Thomas. When I think of the handouts from kind and beautiful Ladies I was having before my State Pension came thru, I am very grateful that they were not Scorekeepers. Some people are just more generous, and 'better endowed', than others. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it.

[kronskymikhail]

This hits hard — the quiet exhaustion of dealing with people who treat kindness like currency. Life shouldn’t be an accounting sheet, yet some can’t help tallying debts of the heart. I prefer moments freely given, like small risks that ask for nothing back — a bit like playing at https://chicken-road-real-money.com/, where it’s all chance, not calculation

[Thomas W Case]

Much appreciated.

[DIVYA]

This is so hard hitting, dear Thomas. Of course, we all have expectations from one another but they should be tempered with goodwill and concern for the other person. What I can't digest is overt calculation.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[Pete]

kindness and generosity are not in their vocabulary. sadly, we all know people like this. a sickening feeling oozes from your words.

[Thomas W Case]

Thanks, Pete. Yes, we all know them.

[John the Baptist]

I think the proper word for these folks is transactional. Everything is a business deal, a process of exchanges. The number of good samaritans among them is probably in the single digits.

[Thomas W Case]

So very true. Thank you, my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

These are not worthy of friendship or a good relationship;
They are selfish anymore and vengeful.
Stay away from those kinds.
If I do a favor, I do it for the sake of God, goodness and good intentions.
What goes around will come around.

[Thomas W Case]

So very true. I appreciate it.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome.