Callous Calem

“Won’t you stay awhile?”
She said to me doubtfully;
It were her first words
She ever told me.

I turned to her gaze,
And was greeted with a smile.
“It’s a little cold,”
She said, “Want to talk?”

I had time to spare,
And so I replied, “alright.”
I trudged over snow
And stood by her side.

“I’ve seen you working,”
She started, “You work real hard.”
“Thanks, but,” I replied,
“I can’t say the same.”

“You’re much too modest!”
She said as she slapped my back.
“I see you take pride
in working so hard!”

“Excuse me,” I said,
“I wasn’t talking about
My work ethic, miss,
it was about yours.”

Her face was puzzled.
It seems she can’t comprehend
I thought she was bad.
I turned to face her.
“Your work ethic sucks.”