Got A Problem?

Got a problem?
Don't we all. 
It's part of the human condition.
Nothing ever goes smoothly—
at least not for long. 

Real problems 
I can deal with.
If I can help, I will.
If I can't help,
at least I can listen,
and be sympathetic. 

I have a problem
when you don't stop to consider
that you aren't the only one
who has problems.

I have a problem 
when there's always a problem
and it's always about you.

I have a problem
when you are the 
perpetual victim,
who is compelled to share
the myriad of ways
that life has mistreated you;
never having good news,
never pausing to think
others have problems of their own;
problems as big or 
maybe even bigger
than yours..
The difference being
others are too busy dealing with them
to look for sympathy 
from anyone and everyone 
who is kind enough to ask
how you're doing.

I think people care.
I think they'd like to help.
I know I do.
But not all the time.

At some point your problems
are all we see.
We turn away in self-preservation mode.
You have become one more problem
added to our plate,
which is already overflowing.

I feel guilty when that happens,
but I guess that's my problem.

Elise Skidmore ©2026