What will people say
such a scandalous affair
a trickle claiming to be rain
when no water ever
comes near here.

Oh, dear what will
they think.
I shiver to inquire
what would ever inspire
such vague ideas.

If I truly cared
what strangers thought
I would not
be who I am
a poet pleading wares of words.

Truly I am a fool,
because I care
just enough to want
people to read my words
but not enough to change
the core of who I am.