If I Offend, So Be It
If I offend...
So be it!
I am not here,
To be the 'next' James Baldwin.
Or follow in the footsteps,
Of Langston Hughes.
The shoes I wear are quite comfortable.
And the path I walk upon,
Has not already been paved.
That is the task that has be laid before me.
To do that myself!
If I offend...
So be it!
I am not living my life intending to be anyone else,
Than who I am.
I am the first Lawrence S. Pertillar.
And make no mistake about it...
I will be acknowledged,
For the life I've lived.
If I offend...
So be it!
I just know who it is I am.
And I am not who I am because I seek to get paid for it!
Like most folks lost and deluded,
By the meaning of 'identity'.
I've been blessed and I am grateful...
To have a dignity as well.
And 'if' I offend...
So be it!
There's so many others,
Who have minds associated with making a quick buck.
And people like that...
Are indoctrinated with corrupted agendas!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Let Me Help You Mend
Come in...
To my world.
And end,
All defenses begun...
Within you that go on,
To offend.
Come in...
To my world.
And end,
All defenses begun...
Within you that go on,
To offend.
Unlock your hold on troubles,
You keep deep...
To repeat.
Release them from yourself,
And you'll be free...
To visit me.
Come in...
To my world.
And end,
All defenses begun...
Within you that go on,
To offend.
Come in...
To my world.
And end,
All defenses begun...
Within you that go on,
To offend.
Let me,
Help you mend...
And now!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The masses demand a fighting President, and that means you've got to offend somebody, because the way I see it, a strong offense is the best attack. So what can you offend? That's an easy one. Offend the other candidates, because they'll be too busy talking to hear you, and besides, they might not vote for you anyway.
quote by Gracie Allen
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Role Tape Please
There was a time in my life,
I would dare not offend anyone.
Although there were those,
Who seemed to have been addicted to it.
Role tape please!
Thank you.
Today...
Scenes have changed.
A seriousness took place in my life.
And I felt I had to over emphasize...
An offending done at my expense,
Was downsized not to exist.
I don't like it one bit!
And yet my return of it...
Is swift with an purpose connected,
As directed.
There was a time in my life,
I would dare not offend anyone.
But these days...
An asking for it,
Gets a quick delivery!
And...
Cut.
I will do my own editing from now on.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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What 'Fit' Would I Want
Identity?
I've had one for so long.
All my life,
I have lived to perfect it.
I don't get upset with those with none.
Those who prefer to turn away and run...
If confronted!
Identity?
I know who I am without question.
Acceptance I don't seek.
Not from those
Who believe my identity
Might leave others afraid to speak.
Those familiar with others,
Who shuffle along with stances weak.
I have no problem,
Being me and that might offend.
'Too bad! '
'Get over it! '
Nothing else or more is there...
I care to share with them!
What 'fit' would I want,
If that which I enjoy...
Provides me comfort?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Don't Let My Confidence Offend
Please,
Don't let my confidence offend.
I did not always place my steps,
With such self assurance.
And when I first met my own arrogance,
Even I became overwhelmed...
With the flaunting of it.
My experiences and indifferences from others,
Witnessed.
Did this to me.
And when I discovered my own identity,
Well...
People were quick to abandon my honesty.
And so difficult it was for me to let them go.
Please,
Don't let my confidence offend.
I did not always place my steps,
With such self assurance.
And when I first met my own arrogance,
Even I became overwhelmed...
With the flaunting of it.
However...
Becoming use to it I've done.
You don't have to.
And this I completely understand if you don't.
But compensating where I am for you?
To show it can be done at your satisfaction?
Is not going to happen. Period. With no explanation!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance.
Sam Brown in Washington Post (1977)
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Direct Correcting
I hate to offend one's ignorance.
I know too well,
The damage this can cause.
I too have been a victim,
Of my own stubbornness.
With beliefs I once,
Knew it all.
I hate to offend one's ignorance.
I know too well,
The damage this can cause.
To obtain experience,
And gain a knowledge that transcends...
Where an 'awareness' accepted,
Once had been.
Rarely opens all minds at the same time.
I too have been a victim,
Of my own stubbornness.
With beliefs I once,
Knew it all.
With a defense mechanism,
That stalled like a wall...
The coming in of a comprehension.
I hate to offend one's ignorance.
I know too well,
The damage this can cause.
But every now and then,
I can not just sit and pretend...
I am accepting of anyone's delivery to receive,
From them...
A blinding disrespect without my direct correcting.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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You Have Been Given Another Point Of View
I apologize if I offend you.
And those delusions you've been fed to keep.
But you see...
My life is not lived in Hollywood.
And none of my ancestors,
Came close to serving time...
On a movie set.
My comments may come as a surprise,
To upset your insights.
But my reality has been annointed by the ghetto.
In those urban centers of city life.
Where very few of those so called 'elite' go.
I apologize if I offend you.
Although I could easily cuss you out.
And not have my bitter experiences,
Think twice about it.
I was not shelter by protectors with the giving of lollipops.
Dysfunctions of all kinds I knew as friends.
I've been blessed with a mind that sees beyond limitations.
I share this with you,
Because I know of me...
You have been given another point of view.
And I don't want you to receive the wrong directions,
By anyone who believes they know...me!
And...
Where I have been, where I am now and where I intend to go.
And only that is revealed,
When I arrive to leave upon my announcing it.
If I wish.
And often I don't.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Offend In Every Way
I'm patient of this plan,
As humble as I can.
I'll wait another day,
Before I turn away.
But know this much is true,
No matter what I do,
Offend in every way,
I don't know what to say.
I'm commin through the door,
But they're expecting more,
Of an interesting man.
Sometimes I think I can,
But how much can I fake?
I'll speak until I break,
With every word I say,
Offend in every way.
You tell me to relax,
and listen to these facts.
That everyone's my friend,
And will be till the end.
But know this much is true,
No matter what I do,
No matter what I say,
Offend in every way.
song performed by by White Stripes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance.
Offended In Every Way
Im patient of this plan
as humble as I can
Ill wait another day
before I turn awaya
but know this much is true
no matter what I do
offend in every way
I dont know what to say
You tell me to relax
and listen to these facts
that everyones my friend
and will be till the end
but know this much is true
no matter what I do
no matter what I say
offend in every way
Im walking through the door
but theyre expecting more
of an interesting man
and sometimes I think I can
but how much can I fake
Ill speak until I break
with every word I say
offend in every way
song performed by by White Stripes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Followed with a Hollowed Faith
I am who I am!
A proud and determined man.
And glad I am not limited to labels.
Call me anything you wish.
I am one of those folks,
Grateful to have life to breathe.
And grateful to be able to express,
A sharing of gifts...
With others to exchange to leave.
People who find time,
To restrict their origin with ethnic traces...
Without appreciating themselves,
Or whomever they debase.
Seek excuses to offend and discriminate...
And do so to incriminate with a satiation,
Those hypocrisies followed with a hollowed faith.
And they call themselves 'believers'!
But of what? Jealousy, deceit and hate?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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In Your Face
In your face.
And scrutinized on a daily basis,
That should not take place with such curiosity.
But it does with the getting of attention.
I am an American man.
And labelled black to be made aware of that.
To offend many when my proudness is expressed.
I have always had ambitions to be my best.
With a dignity I wear my identity to expose.
I have never had a wish to be depicted as a stereotype,
To appease those who are white to please appetites.
Not me I am happy to be who I am.
And then there are those who wish to be viewed,
As 'good' Negroes.
With obedience and subservience,
Served to those they'd rather not upset.
I am an American man.
And labelled black to be made aware of that.
To offend many when my proudness is expressed.
I have always had ambitions to be my best.
Does this confession make me 'less' patriotic?
Or am I 'more' American because I have beliefs...
To be the best human being that I can be.
Regardless of any images that provide others with relief.
How you depict with descriptions to abuse and define?
Is a problem you have to overcome in your limited mind.
With time given to dread or not.
And 'that' will never be a question you will hear me ask!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Clean
Today, everything was fine fine fine
Until roundabout quarter to 9, suddenly I found myself in a bind, a bind
Was it something I said
Something I read
And manifest thats getting you down
Dont you dare come to bed with that ambiguous look in your eye
Id sooner sleep by an open fire and wake up fried
Say what u will
Say what u mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean, clean
Tomorrow, what price will I pay
Could I make it all up to you by serving coffee for two in bed, would you then give me
The time of day
I need a map of your head, translated into english so I can learn to not make you frown
Feel better if you vent, put your frustrations into four letter words and let them out on
Mine
The most weathered ears in town!
Say what u will
Say what u mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean
Clean (x6)
Say what u will
Say what u mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirt words come out clean
Say what u will
Say what u mean
No, you could never offend
Your dirty words come out clean, clean
song performed by by Incubus
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Stick Around
If I have offended you...
I do offer options.
You can choose to look at it this way...
Either I have had a lot of practice at it!
With those before you providing my experience.
Or...
You have gotten on my last nerve,
With such a degree of annoyance...
I had to offend,
To deliver the attention you sought!
Now...
Which is it?
If neither of those applies,
And this is your first time being insulted...
You and I could become good friends.
I do not often offend without a purpose.
Stick around!
You look as if,
I might have finally found the one...
Who will not put up with it!
'You're sick! '
Really?
Tell me more.
Don't stop.
I'm all ears.
You have my undivided attention!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Everybody Loves Me, Baby
Everybody Loves Me Baby
Don McLean
From his "American Pie" LP
This song was not released as a single
: One, two, three, four!
Fortune has me well in hand, armies 'wait my command
My gold lies in a foreign land buried deep beneath the sand
The angels guide my ev'ry prayer, my enemies are sick or dead
But all the victories I've led haven't brought you to my bed
CHORUS:
You see, everybody loves me, baby, what's the matter with you?
Won'tcha tell me what did I do to offend you?
Now the purest race I've bred to be to live in my democracy
And the highest human pedigree awaits the first-born boy baby
And my face on ev'ry coin engraved, the anarchists are all enslaved
My own flag is forever waved by the grateful people I have saved
CHORUS:
You see, everybody loves me, baby, what's the matter with you?
Won'tcha tell me what did I do to offend you?
Now, no man is beyond my claim when land is seized in the people's name
By evil men who rob and maim, if war is hell, I'm not to blame!
Why, you can't blame me, I'm Heaven's child, I'm the second son of Mary mild
And I'm twice removed from Oscar Wilde, but he didn't mind, why, he just smiled
Yes, and the ocean parts when I walk through, and the clouds dissolve and the sky turns blue
I'm held in very great value by everyone I meet but you
'cause I've used my talents as I could, I've done some bad, I've done some good
I did a whole lot better than they thought I would so, c'mon and treat me like you should!
Because everybody loves me, baby, what's the matter with you?
Won'tcha tell me what did I do to offend you?
Everybody loves me, baby, what's the matter with you?
Won'tcha tell me what did I do to offend you?
Yeah, everybody loves me, baby, what's the matter with you?
Won'tcha tell me what did I do to offend you?
song performed by by Don McLean
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If By Chance Your Eye Offend You
If by chance your eye offend you,
Pluck it out, lad, and be sound:
'Twill hurt, but here are salves to friend you,
And many a balsam grows on ground.
And if your hand or foot offend you,
Cut it off, lad, and be whole;
But play the man, stand up and end you,
When your sickness is your soul.
poem by Alfred Edward Housman
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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You Say You Are Saved
Peppered and salted is your tongue.
And you say you are saved.
Prepared and quick you are,
To assault and offend anyone.
And you say you are saved.
What is it you run from when done?
When you say you are saved.
What is it that you think,
You are protected from?
When you say you are saved.
Do you have what's needed to stop your agonies?
And when you plead to be released from bended knees...
Repeatedly,
What is that saves you...
When you say you pray faithfully,
And it stays that way everyday.
What is it you run from when done?
When you say you are saved.
What is it that you think,
You are protected from?
When you say you are saved.
To hide what you do on a daily basis.
Peppered and salted is your tongue.
And you say you are saved.
Prepared and quick you are,
To assault and offend anyone.
And you say you are saved.
You say it.
But what is it saved that you obey?
You 'say' you are saved,
But...
From what?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Begging For It
Maybe it has a lot to do,
With experiencing challenges.
Those obstacles can be nerve wracking.
And when they come back to back...
Patiently listening to give empathy,
Does not zoom to the top,
Of anyone's priority list.
And with a limiting done to my fears,
To a minimize their affect on my emotions...
Can give me an appearance of being detached.
And honestly?
Sometimes I prefer to make those appearances.
And perhaps it has a lot to do with,
A lowering of my tolerance level.
I've accepted a maturity as the only reason,
Why I do not sugar up my words...
With a spicing done not to offend.
Intentionally.
Now when I offend...
Someone begging for it,
It is intended.
I do the best I can,
Not to disappoint anyone.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Diminishing Defenses
Let's remove the platitudes.
And rid the phony subtleties,
To dropp to be who we are...
To let that be seen,
Moving forward to do more progressive things.
You offend. I offend.
Let us diminish the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
Let's remove the platitudes,
I defend. You defend.
Let us diminish the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
Let's remove the platitudes.
You offend. I offend.
Let us diminish the fences.
And let's do it to prove,
It done,
To do.
Diminishing defenses.
Down with the fences.
You offend. I offend.
Let us diminish the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
Let's remove the platitudes,
I defend. You defend.
Let us diminish the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
Let us remove those platitudes
Diminishing defenses.
Down with the fences.
Let us remove those platitudes
Diminishing defenses.
Down with the fences.
Let us remove those platitudes.
Diminishing defenses.
Down with the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
Let us remove those platitudes.
Let us remove those platitudes.
Diminishing defenses.
Down with the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
Down with the fences.
Diminishing defenses.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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