Fantasies of Accomplishment
Does a normalcy achieved with good credit,
Remain so when lifestyles crumble...
And taxes are still due on what is 'owned'?
When a quality of life as shown today,
With very little quality of it left...
Begins to fade as the end of a masquerade nears.
Do those who brag about being on one job,
For twenty-five to thirty years
Rush to retirement pensions dwindling?
Or do they wish they had been mavericks
Who decided many years ago...
Being thought of as 'crazy' isn't nearly as bad
As trying to hold onto something,
That not only has lost value...
But everything about it has lost meaning?
When squirrels are secretly meeting
To discuss sharing their nuts
With the less fortunate..
I would think that this would be a hint
That a way of life taken for granted,
Is changing more rapidly
Than those who believed...
Holding onto material possessions
Leaves an impression,
They should and could possibly sleep peacefully at night!
Especially those who find they are clocking more hours,
Than dollars to maintain fantasies of accomplishment!
And 'where' does this all lead?
To a sharing of never ending delusion!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Related quotes
Lessons Like These Don't Stay Learned
When someone begins to set standards...
And lifestyle requirements.
With rudiments of how a quality of life is to be lived...
They themselves find difficult to maintain,
Throughout the years.
A flushing down the drain results.
And a pain is felt.
With restrictions dealt.
But lessons like these don't stay learned.
They only remain for as long as the suffering lasts.
Be it two, three, four or five years...
Greed returns to raise its ugly head bigger than ever!
Right after the period of sharing and caring ends.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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My Next Thirty Years
(track 12 - time 3:37)
(phil vassar)
I think Ill take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now its time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years
Hey my next thirty years Im gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things Ive done
Maybe now Ive conquered all my adolescent fears
And Ill do it better in my next thirty years
My next thirty years Im gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what Im doing here
In my next thirty years
Oh my next thirty years, Im gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe Ill remember my next thirty years
My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years
song performed by by Tim McGraw
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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More Arrogant Than Necessary
Remember a few years ago,
When folks 'with' good credit...
Use to brag about the number of cards,
They had.
'I have all the major ones!
And you? '
None!
'None? Well...
I pride myself on maintaining good credit! '
I'm a true American.
Destined to have bad credit...
I guess!
And 'today' my bad credit prevented me,
From getting a credit card.
I did have one many years ago.
I never used it and was still stuck with a bill.
Charging me fees for 'non-use'.
Oh yes!
Now I've heard...
Not only have some folks experienced,
Tripled interests rates.
They are charged an additional fee...
IF less than two items are purchased in a single month.
AND...'if' the bank is not paid for those purchases,
Within thirty days...
That's another fee!
Years ago I frequented a store called Nellie's
On Canton Street in Hartford.
I was a kid.
Grown...
But a child nonetheless.
It was rare for me to have money.
But I ended up in Nellie's talking with her.
And she'd give me a lollipop.
I was a child using my charm to the max.
One day I licked on a lollipop...
And Ms Nellie said, 'Two for Five cents.'
'I ain't got no five cents, Ms Nellie! '
~That's your last lollipop! ~
Where are they?
What have we done to those teachers?
Who stuck by a decision to feed addicting greed to folks?
Especially to the ones who ain't got no cash.
Or none laying around in a bank.
If 'they' did 'they' would not be closing them!
I demanded my account closed years ago.
And took all of my twenty dollars out!
The manager had stated...
I was 'acting' more arrogant than necessary.
'Excuse me?
Close my account! Now.
And that will be in 'twenty' one dollar bills...
Thank you! '
They are using 'my' money?
And pushing 'me' around like that?
I...don't think so!
I'm glad I did that earlier.
The thought of standing in a line,
'Waiting' to see if my life's savings are safe...
I don't have the patience anymore to do!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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To Produce and Spread the Legitimacy
I've overheard some people to say,
How they have to work two and three jobs
To maintain their quality of life.
? ? ?
Yes,
I've questioned it.
Even as I thought about it, I was in question.
Working two and three jobs to maintain a quality of life?
And those 'bigwigs' on Wall Street,
Entitle themselves to luxuries and bonuses...
Stripping away 'generations' of folks?
Literally!
Forget the figurative!
These folks are high-falutin looters!
Just based on whether or not their company allows it?
Pocketing millions to accomodate their greed?
And they may not be seen in the office...
Or in the buildings where they have committed theft and fraud?
And folks have elected a government to represent their wishes?
These are their wishes?
To be dismissed like this?
Even some plantation owners left the land to the slaves.
To show their appreciation.
Whether that was from guilt or not...
That is yet to be debated.
Ladies and gentlemen...
I ask you this,
Anytime you have to adapt to slavery to maintain a quality of life,
Is that life?
Or bondage?
Harriet Tubman realized that many years ago,
When she was brave enough to smuggle some black people to Toronto.
You've heard of the Underground Railroad?
Not the restaurant.
The movement.
But those today are thrilled...
Ecstatic,
To show that ball and chain around their necks!
And brag about standards and values they condone someone else stealing!
While thumbing their noses and attitudes at others.
And not getting a wink of sleep,
Trying to keep what is being taxed.
And we all know if you stop paying taxes...
Who comes to take back,
What is claimed 'owned'.
This is the democracy we have been taught that is envied around the world?
Perhaps that is why a global economic crisis has been claimed!
There is just not enough people willing to kill themselves for it.
At least not at the expense of someone else's luxurious lifestyle!
But then again...
Even their greed has enforced limitations.
Now those in control are heard moaning about producing more loans.
Increasing credit limits.
To continue feeding a gluttony without cash being exchanged!
Folks it is there in your faces.
This is not made up stuff!
While kids fight to get into college.
Not for knowledge.
Would we be in these dire straits,
If folks were knowledgeable?
there is a greed perceived that is needed.
To keep this addiction thriving!
And costly are the fees for it!
Just as wars keep conflicts...
And fears assigned to terrorists!
All there to produce and spread the legitimacy,
Of this sickness.
It is the progress of a demented society!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Boulevard of Moral Decay
On the streets they enjoy playing,
Their thuggish games!
Trained to be subservient
To a life that obeys breaking laws,
With confidence!
These elements are now the consequences,
Of a tolerance that has gone much too far!
Right under the noses...
Of those who chose to see themselves 'untouchable'
And indifferent to lifestyles changing around them!
They have been disrespected for being who they are.
Letting their guard down as they tossed insults,
And invaded the comfort of others!
This affected their relationships with lovers,
Family and friends!
And this bullshit 'ain't ending!
This mental distant game of cowboys and Indians!
Possessions are now at risk.
And there is no way to dismiss what has taken place!
We've spent too much time,
Trying to find the relevance...
And adjusting to the demands
Of the pressure to progress prosperity,
With all the joy good credit can buy!
And if we have to lie about it...
The better!
That has been our doctrine!
And today we are surrounded by so many lies!
So many alibis and attempts to find some hint,
Somewhere...
Of protected quality!
Sheltered from despair and agony,
Clearly on the Sunrise for all!
We've bounced back and forth like a tennis ball,
From beliefs the widest of TV screens
Have fed us...
Much bigger and bolder than before!
Seducing with the most vivid high definitioned color!
Yet...
No sympathy we seek approaches our addresses!
The mess that is in our heads and in our homes...
We've condoned with much 'bewildering' participation!
And that's being confessed,
Finally!
Although deadly to the ones,
Who are the victims of our fantasies!
~Soon they will be exposed as those
With the power after all!
This presentation seems to have
A 'Guest' waiting in the wings! ~
It's part of the culture we decided to live in!
Driving down the boulevard of moral decay!
No one ever dreamed that the journey back
Had followed us to our own front doors!
We can turn the TV sets off now.
There is a visitor that comes...
Some scum that traced us.
And we allow them to smuggle,
Every last piece of peace we've got left!
We've been condtioned to believe
Our ideals to be the best!
Even if the rest of the world
May see us leaking confidence,
With a lack of direction displayed...
By common sense delayed,
Among those in disarray
With skills to cheat but none to lead!
On the streets...
They enjoy playing their thuggish games!
They strategize to compete for turf.
They bluff and sometimes the bluffing hurts!
They never express guilt or apologize.
They grew up believing what they fed themselves was true!
Although they liked to masquerade,
In various disguises!
Until they created....
Something more than civil disobedience,
And chaos!
Representing what we consent!
Leaving us to observe lost treasures.
That can not be quickly minted...
To patch the maddness relentlessly brewed,
And it's not pleasant to the taste at all,
Observing fools who 'pontificate'
The do's and don'ts.
Now watching themselves close,
To being done in!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Where Has That Quality Of Life Gone Today?
Those that grow old but not 'up',
Live lives in recycled patterns.
A process that benefits routine...
Within set limitations,
That have come to demean common sense.
Those living to break away from those 'molds',
Had been referred to as nonconformists at one time.
Now the 'mavericks' have replaced them,
With no concern for the quality of life.
And when nonconformists were shunned...
They sought a better way of life for everyone.
And many attempted to do this,
Without the purchasing and selling...
Of illegal weapons such as guns.
And where has that quality of life gone today?
To the pleading of the needs of those greedy...
Who have left that quality of life stray,
Into corrupted decay.
With other 'necessities' politically and religiously valued.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Traumatic Has to Be the Reality Faced
Traumatic for many,
These days lived...
Has to be.
Especially for the ones who identified,
Their lives and self worth...
With the ability to purchase 'bling',
And other materialistic things.
With money that from them is dwindling.
Traumatic has to be the reality faced,
There is no substitute for truth that can be replaced.
Nor are there those empathetic,
Who have grown accustomed...
To finding their way on the streets to eat and sleep.
And yet those with beliefs they are above all of this,
Find themselves indebted to their beliefs...
They wish to keep.
And...
Traumatic for many,
These days lived...
Has to be.
For those who make demands as if...
Their lifestyles can be sustained,
By squeezing them...
From an economy based on credit.
That has exhausted all fantasies,
Once supporting a delusion...
There was no ending that came to a feeding of a feast.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Holding On To Nothin'
We're holding on to nothing left to hold onto
I'm so tired of holding on to nothin'
The years have shown no kindness
For the hard times we've been through
We've squeezed the life from every dream
And still go right on bluffin'
With really nothin' left to hold onto
Chorus:
Oh why do we keep holding on with nothing left to hold onto
Lets be honest with each other
That's the least that we can do
I feel guilty when they envy me and you
We're holding on with nothing left to hold onto
We were young and foolishly mistaken
Victoms of a passion much too strong to be denied
With only tears to show for all the years that we've been fakin'
God only knows how long how hard we've tried
Repeat Chorus
We're holding on with nothing left to hold onto
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It Was Just A Job
Today I lost my job, but what did I really lose?
I can get another one, and I can pick and choose
A job is only work you do to earn a buck or two
Get up early, punch the clock and work the whole day through
Someone else will get the glory and the bonus you worked for
And this goes on for years til you can’t do it anymore.
If you are lucky you can make it til retirement age
Or then again you could be like me and be escorted off the stage
But what I took with me was something they can’t take away
And I can use it anytime I want on any given day
For what I took with me was a lifetime of memories
Of sharing life with friends I made and the comradery
poem by Donna McCord
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The Am I Nuts Test
Before taking The Am I Nuts Test,
Do your best to be objective and prepared...
To declare 'yourself',
As crazy as a bed bug!
Why declare this?
It will be easier to take the test,
With the acknowledgement...
There had been someone who picked on a bed bug,
To proclaim and announce it crazy.
Okay?
Now you should feel open to accept,
All possibilities.
First...
Have you ever discovered yourself quick to deny,
Anything?
Think about this and be honest.
Second...
Are you afraid to be critiqued?
For any physical flaws and blemishes you keep?
Third...
Do you seek to mask your insecurities?
With a pointing out those of others...
As you desperately try to secretly hide,
Those of your own that are hidden deep?
Fourth...
Do you get up each morning,
With wishes to find someone to impress.
Without first expressing a thankfulness for your blessings?
Do you find a need to rehearse this first?
Fifth...
Are you envious and jealous,
Of those addressing with confidence their identities?
Does this irritate you to no end?
And you are convinced,
They actually are trying to run away...
From their strange and differentness.
Do you feel people like this pretend?
And you remain one of the few...
Who advocate a 'normalcy' wishing others to approve?
Well...
You 'are' nuts!
And there is no need to have the results discussed.
If you believe others are out of their minds,
With a few like you being 'normal'.
And no evidence around you to validate and find.
You 'are' nuts and out of your mind.
No one today is normal.
'What makes you qualified to administer a test like this? '
Long ago I was confirmed as being dysfunctional.
And I resisted this refusing to admit it.
But today those dysfunctional,
Seem to be the ones left who have common sense.
'So...
You too are nuts? '
No.
My preference is to stay,
As dysfunctional for as long as I can.
I find to admit it makes me more marketable.
To discover someone is nuts,
Puts a limit to their opportunities.
And...
To debate with someone about the mentalities of bed bugs,
Is way out of my league.
I enjoy my life lived as simple as possible.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Reality Fatalities
Bitter is the truth,
Coming to some to stun.
And in these awakening days now lived...
None of it is partial.
A totalness of it is addressed,
As it relentlessly gives...
Heartbreak and emptiness.
And tempers everywhere,
Are there and flaring.
Truth is not to be dared!
Its affects are bold.
Leaving folks beholding it...
In blank and helpless stares.
Unbridled are horses and other pets.
Showpiece collections...
Being stripped away,
With tears and regrets!
Like the sudden departure of anything,
Or anyone loved...
That leaves behind a grieving,
And much unhappiness that is left.
To feel without an accepting...
Like the ease of a breathing breath.
These reality fatalities,
Meeting a squeezing done.
By a faltering of an economy...
Dwindling from a greed,
Excitedly greeted and once welcomed.
Now gone.
Swept across a land of those who once believed,
Their quality of life was set and sacred.
Untouched but now discovered...
Is a bleeding felt that succeeds.
They can not recover,
From lifestyles lived beyond their means.
When the certainty of truth...
Brings with it a stinging done.
And demeaning with a death,
Of all delusions that have been kept!
These reality fatalities,
Meeting a squeezing done.
By a faltering of an economy...
Dwindling from a greed,
Excitedly greeted and once welcomed.
Like the drifting away of leaves,
From barren trees.
Never to reproduce the joys...
And those temptations that seduced,
A feeding fed that has run out of its 'juice'.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Not Up For That Today
Not up for that today,
No.
Not up for that,
To quarrel and spat
Over traps we set...
To get upset about that now.
Not up for that today,
No.
Not up to discuss how life could have been.
What we've should have done.
Or who committed what sins when.
Not up for that today,
No.
You see that tree budding leaves?
You see that flower blooming with beauty?
You hear the few bees left buzzing?
The birds chirping?
With Spring appearing to bring fresh air?
That's what I am up for this morning.
Not into sharing your agonies,
Dripping to dropp you into despair.
For a round of recurring arguments to share.
No!
Not up for that today,
No.
Not up for that,
To quarrel and spat
Over traps we set...
To get upset about that now.
But take all the time you must...
To agitate yourself,
If that gives you a rush!
I am not up for that to witness,
Not today,
No!
I have a date with life,
I am going to keep!
And you are too late for me to wait,
With your repeated sighs of self defeat.
No...
Not today!
I have a date with life,
I am going to keep!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Holdin On To Nothin
Were holding on to nothing left to hold onto
Im so tired of holding on to nothin
The years have shown no kindness
For the hard times weve been through
Weve squeezed the life from every dream
And still go right on bluffin
With really nothin left to hold onto
Chorus:
Oh why do we keep holding on with nothing left to hold onto
Lets be honest with each other
Thats the least that we can do
I feel guilty when they envy me and you
Were holding on with nothing left to hold onto
We were young and foolishly mistaken
Victoms of a passion much too strong to be denied
With only tears to show for all the years that weve been fakin
God only knows how long how hard weve tried
Repeat chorus
Were holding on with nothing left to hold onto
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life’s Masquerade
Some say life’s one big parade, with many lost in a masquerade,
Living their present life trying to be, someone others want to see,
Many hiding the real person inside, behind a veil of human pride,
Maybe, they are living one big lie, never knowing the reason why.
Some people choose to just exist, living their life in a virtual mist,
Following others they don’t know, who live life like one big show,
Simply following that big crowd, usually lead by one, who’s loud,
As being loud, they do their part, influencing the misguided heart.
Many in a circus like atmosphere, know not even why they’re here,
In this life, grabbing all they can, living their life just as fallen men.
Never looking beyond this earth, for life’s meaning or life’s worth,
Duped by a master of disguise; saying worldliness is rather wise.
Men caught up in a masquerade, are in slavery to men depraved,
Masquerading about in the night, avoiding any hint of God’s light,
They’re lost, as they compromise, the only Truth to make us wise,
Men thinking that they can hide, from a Holy God, if He is denied.
They’ll continue in a masquerade, until their soul by God is saved,
To free men from all Satan’s lies, and do away with their disguise,
Giving men spiritual eyes to see, we’re here to prepare for eternity,
All to be who we are in this life, through the power of Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©09/2008)
I Remember
I remember being ten years old
And wondering what I would be?
I talked it over with my father
And he said, “We’ll see.”
I remember being twenty years old
And wondering all about life.
I found myself getting married
And learning to be a wife.
I remember being thirty years old
With 2 sons at my side.
I saw a few strands of gray hair
Which I tried to hide.
I remember being forty-five
And birthdays coming too soon.
I was teaching kids all about music
And waiting for vacations in June.
I remember when I turned fifty
And my body started to change.
The hormonal and emotional challenges
All became so strange.
I remember becoming fifty-eight
When retirement came my way.
I thought to myself, “ Now what do I do? ”
On every single day?
I remember becoming seventy
When breast cancer came to me.
I decided I wanted to live some more
So I created poetry.
All that I remember from that point on
Is where I am today
Using this pen that’s in my hand.
It’s become my way to say
Thank You.
poem by Edwina Reizer
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Still Crazy After All These Years
I met my old lover on the street last night
He seemed so glad to see me
I just smiled
And we talked about some old times
And we drank ourselves some beers
Still crazy after all these years
Oh still crazy after all these years
Im not the kind of girl who tends to socialize
I seem to lean on old familiar ways
And I aint no fool for love songs
That whisper in my ears
Still crazy after all these years
Still crazy after all these years
(crazy, Im gonna crazy, Im gonna crazy)
Four in the morning, crashed out, yawning
Longing my life away
Ill never worry
Why should i?
Its all gonna fade
Now I sit by my window
And I watch the cars
I fear Ill do some damage one fine day
But I would not be convicted by a jury of my peers
Still crazy after all these years
Oh, still crazy
(baby Im crazy through all these years)
Still crazy
Still crazy after all these years
song performed by by Carpenters
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I Did Not Lose any Sleep When You Left
Your decision made to follow others,
On a path that seemed safely paved for you...
I respected.
With my regards given,
As my last remarks.
That you appear today to say to me,
There are regrets you wish to express...
Will not recapture,
The many years of suggestions...
I gave to you I believed were best.
What are you expecting,
From me to you for your ears to hear?
An 'okay' with understanding?
As if when you left me you did not make it clear,
To the others you chose to follow...
How crazy you thought me to be!
And my 'know-it-all' personality...
You were glad not to have it near you,
Finally.
Well...
I did not lose any sleep when you left!
And I am sure I will sleep even more peacefully...
When in a few seconds from me you will leave.
I am not here to host another game you wish to play.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Enough Is Enough
We have tolerated enough
The life is like to be very tough
The road surface has already turned rough
The time has come now call enough is enough
What crime we have committed?
Faults, lapses and negligence is not at all admitted
We have lost the courage to counter repression
Enough of territory is lost in aggression
Billions of dollars are siphoned off and cornered
Precious land grabbed and secretly owned
Built so many mansions without legal mention
All rules are enacted for its prevention
What to complain and how to shed tears?
What is to be regretted and what is to be feared?
How can one think of snatching simple bread?
Is it not known to them that without it we will be just dead?
Tons of food grains are rotting in open
The warehouses are locked and may never reopen
The food grains may be burnt but will not reach to people
Have we ever thought of hunger, anger and trouble?
Why courts have to direct administrators to respond?
Save and spare the grains to people and correspond
Is the judicial activism only option and way out?
We are possibly waiting for worst rout
Hungry people will soon be on road
They may not be in position to bear load
Their frustration may run put the patience
Nothing can be had then with insistence
We are liberal and democratic society
Freedom of movement and speech must be of highest order and quality
How can one dupe the people by sheer maneuvering?
Is the democracy meant for bad governing?
I would prefer autocrat if he serves the poor
People may not feel helplessness and shown the door
Let us respect the humanity and serve the poorest of poor
What will then be difference left between good and evil doer?
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
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Ten Grey hairs and a silver one
I discovered my first grey hair
when I was Seventeen years old
It had to do with broken up my first relationship
I discovered my second grey hair
when I was Twenty years old
It had to do with the quarrels at home
I discovered my third grey hair
when I was Twenty-one years old
It had to do with searching for work
I discovered my fourth grey hair
when I was Twenty-three years old
It had to do with loosing my job
I discovered my fifth grey hair
when I was Twenty-five years old
It had to do with giving up my unborn child
I discovered my sixth grey hair
When I was Twenty-eight years old
It had to do with opening my pub
I discovered my seventh grey hair
When I was thirty years old
It had to do with giving birth to my daughter
I discovered my eight grey hair
When I was thirty –two years old
It had to do with the first day at the kinder garden school
I discovered my ninth grey hair
When I was thirty-four years old
It had to do with to find out that some thing was missing
I discovered my tenth grey hair
When I was thirty-five years old
It had to do with the fights between my sisters and mum
My one Silver hair I discovered lately
Has to do with you
Because I miss you so hard …
poem by Pascale Ost
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Protest With Those Protesting
Don't get erratic
Like the people in the streets.
I say emphatically...
Help them protest
A lack of quality!
You chased the 'bling' of things.
Titles and socialites,
And what you thought a good life brings.
You laughed at me.
Because I had my hands in toilets,
And cleaning sinks.
But I owned what I did.
And learned from invested time in it!
What did you learn?
How to pick up a pink slip...
Smile and be replaced!
Don't get erratic
Like the people in the streets.
I say emphatically...
Help them protest
A lack of quality!
I can think of no one better,
Than you.
How best to discuss,
A digust with a life you knew!
I can think of no one better,
Than you.
To protest with those protesting,
How they assisted themselves
In being screwed!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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