A Non-Believer

I try, and I try
with no effort
in your sights. 

No matter what I do 
or what I say. 
You tell me,
“that’s not good enough” 
or “what more 
do you have to say?”

My genuineness is 
always questioned
and my words 
are treated 
like empty promises
like I was just
your local politician.

Even when I 
never gave you 
the slightest reason 
not to believe 
anything I’ve been saying.

Yet you look 
upon me with distrust
in your eyes
and disbelief 
lives within
every response,
like you’re waiting
for me to take off 
a disguise.

You don’t see me 
for me

But who you believe me 
to be.

The enemy 
waiting in hiding, 
waiting for you 
to drop the ball 
and break your heart.

So you treat me 
like I can’t be trusted
like all the others 
before me 
who led you 
to be guarded.

Now I’m on the stand
with a noose around my neck
and your hand on the lever
eager to have a reason 
or find some concrete evidence
for the devil on your shoulder 
to say,

“Kronk, pull the lever.”

Hanging me for 
all to see
the very thing
you believed about me

without reason. 

without proof.

Just your skepticism
standing as 
the judge, 
the jury, 
and the executioner.