The people who won’t take no for an answer
perch on phone lines in tree branches
squawking as I pass on the sidewalk.
The people who won’t take no for an answer
pour vitamin supplements into my hand
thrust dancing girls at my eyes
slap scenes of mountains tropical lagoons
on the sides of buses.
Remaining in bed doesn’t deflect their attention,
the people who won’t take no for an answer
stand up in parties in my dreams
and insist I give a speech make a toast
make something of myself that I have no interest in being.
I can’t pump gas without being assaulted.
Buying groceries requires I agree to save the planet.
When I drink coffee the Amazon demands my attention.
Even monastery monks insist I respond to their queries.
The people who won’t take no for an answer
won’t listen to my silence.
They will never go away.