NEPHART.COM

I opened a hotel one day

and made a curious little deal,

hear my poem in the evening

and get a discount on the bill.

First night,

the guests all gathered,

the room was full,

the lights felt bright.

I read with proud determination,

my heart convinced this felt just right.

They smiled,

they nodded,

they stayed polite,

I thought my art

had won the fight.

Next day came back

the same guests,

but something in them had clearly changed.

No more smiles,

no poetic patience,

just wallets ready,

faces strange.

They said, “No discount, keep it simple,

just charge us full, we’ll be fine.

We like your hotel, we really do,

but please….no poetry this time.”