RIP to All the Conversations that Died Once I Told Them My Prices
RIP to all the conversations that died once I told them my prices
The awkward pause after I tell them
I won't argue for free
The brief inhalation when I
announce I won't do the emotional
labor they've thrust on me
When they realize I’m really just
fine with taking the dick to-go
The silent calculations
when they notice they really
cannot afford me
and figure out I cost more
That there are better people
I'm holding out for
That I only present myself to those
who don’t worry about the price tag
Who enthusiastically put down
their phones in my presence
Who spoil me with focus,
Support my vision
Curate spaces for me to thrive
Provide financial assistance
before I have to ask
Foresee a future for me
beyond the now
Don’t question my needs
Realize every great party
has a door fee
And my time shouldn't be free
Would be insulted if I even
entertained a sliding scale
Who want to find out what it really
means to fuck a price tag
Who can get this lesson
on the clock
The same ones who know that,
while you took the time to hesitate
evaluate me,
decide if I was even worth it,
the price just went up
— Amon Elise
