En.Citatepedia^®.ro

Only Then to Find Myself

When I made a decision
To use the name I was blessed with
Adding a second name that meant exactly
What my first name means in a different dialect...
Folks got upset.
Because I wanted to perfect my identity!
Lawrence S. I was going to be!
People could not pronounce 'Suhuba'.
Thinking it was something like scuba diving.
And when I told them the name was Yoruban.
From true Egyptian/Yoruba tradition...
You would have thought those of colonial understandings,
Had thought I lost my ancestral mind!
I've known who I've been all this time!
I am defined and proud,
To announce my heritage out loud.
Originality?
Being free of subservience,
I imagine that is what is seen in me.
I have an integrity with dignity.
And could care less who is lost in distress.
I was there...
Before I awakened,
To remove someone else's brand!
Only then to find myself...
Disrespected by my own kind,
Whose minds had been completely brainwashed!
And free to think of themselves as insignificant.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

When I Discovered My Given Name

When I discovered my given name 'is' Lawrence...

(Named after my father.
Who on 'his' birth certificate says Lawrence 'A'.
And I'm suppose to be a junior with no 'A' attached.
Go figure!)

...and not 'Larry' as I am still called by family members,
And very close friends.

People who 'knew' me became upset,
When I began calling myself 'Lawrence'.
Saying I thought I was better than the others.
And that I was not 'real' OR down-to-Earth!

'Does this sound a bit crazed?
I wanted to call myself by my 'real' name...
And folks who didn't have my name,
Became upset!
Pure insanity...
Isn't it? '

There's more...

But my parents did not name me Larry.
They named me Lawrence.
And my father everyone called Lawrence...
Decided he was going to be called 'Larry'.
I'm not going to say he was a jealous man.
That's a different story!

And I decided to become as REAL as possible!
Even adopting an African name, Suhuba...
Of the Yoruban language.
Meaning 'laurel' or of the Sun.
And 'that' made some folks furious.
Family members became outraged...
Because I sought 'identity'.
And I was accused of wanting to be 'white'.

These are the same folks who call for unity of all kinds!
But they don't know 'who' they are to unify.
And 'why' or for what!

That's how ignorant some environments,
And the people can be!
Divided into segments of conditioned realities.

God bless 'em!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Not Afrocentric Enough

Years ago...
They acted as if,
I was an embarrassment to them.
Not Afrocentric enough.
Even though I had identity,
Branded on my 'strut-and-stuff'!

My name, Lawrence Suhuba
Yuroban selected.
Doubling the meaning of my given name.
Suhuba (Lawrence) now Lawrence S.
Proud of my heritage and having no shame!
None to confess.

Today I 'strut' with my stuff all over the internet.
Doing what I've done most of my life.
And that's write.

And I might have been an embarrassment to them then...
But 'them' not feeling comfortable to be who they are now,
Should embarrass them more!

Since having no identity today,
Makes little sense since everything folks have lived for...
To impress with materialism has diminished in value.
And everything they are has been invested in it!

My head is held high...
Most times.
If I am not in deep thought!
And...
I might not have a dime in my pocket.
Most times,
My mind tells me I'm worth millions!
And I look to the ground,
Just to make sure I'm not dropping any of it!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Free In You

A hard knock
A cold clock
Ticking off my time
A long look
But no luck
Couldn't seem to find
Or unwind
Into peace of mind
While I was trying
A quick glance
A big chance
My heart beat like a drum
I saw you
And I knew
Chances just don't come
Round again
Not like this
First a laugh
Then a kiss
And I'm free in you
I've got no worries on my mind
I know what to do
That's to treat you right
And love you kind
Thank you ever on my mind
Love is just like breathing
When it's true
And I'm free in you
The lost time
And self pride
Are my big mistakes
A clear voice
A bad choice
Sounding like an ache
In my day
Not too bad
But too real
To go away
But now I'm free in you
I've got no worries on my mind
I know what to do
That's to treat you right
And love you kind
Thank you ever on my mind
Love is just like breathing
When it's true
And I'm free in you
And I don't know
How you show
Such gentle disregard
For the ugly in me
That I see
That for so long
I took so hard
(I took so hard)
And I truly believe
(I truly believe)
That you see the best in me
(That you see the best in me)
I'm in love
We all love
And that thought
Sets me free
Free in you
Got no worries on my mind
I know what to do
That's to treat you right
And love you kind
Thank you ever on my mind
Love is just like breathing
When it's true
And I'm free in you
Yes I'm free in you

song performed by by Indigo Girls
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Left to Play the Blame Game

Conditioned to discredit their own kind.
In neighborhoods...
Where one has said,
Folks have lost their moral fiber.
Others who have come to witness this...
Have come to realize,
Those folks have also lost their minds.

Unfortunately...
They have been encourage,
To lose their identity as well.
Their ambitions have been to flaunt,
A foolishness dressed to impress!
In a collected unified distrust of one another.
Not realizing this would lead to communities,
Under duress.
And stressed in their own distress.

With no one left to care,
How or if they correct such a mess.
Since this has been their wish!
Bestowing a self destruction done at its best.
Left to play the blame game...
With no one but themselves.

Pointing fingers!
And leaving them to thrive...
In conditions they've imposed,
But have chosen to see it with eyes...
In blind defiance.
Despising truth,
That confronts them exposed.

But this and who they are goes denied!
No matter who comes qualified...
To tell them about themselves.
Or tries to correct their ignorant lives.
Whether dressed in street clothes...
Or suited up with bowties!

'They just do not get it! '

A mindset this shallow...
Although recognized,
Is best to leave in the hands of those who defend it.
Since those who criticize and become offended,
Are the ones that are ostracized!
The ones trying to mend it!

Finding they are living much happier lives...
Divorced from such division.
Divorced from those in constant criticsms.
And observing this nonsense from the outside.

Living with a peace of mind...
As a decision made.
And feeling grateful and blessed,
In confessions they profess...
They were able to find,
With a welcomed rest!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

When I Lead I Do Not Follow

I am not one to seek,
That good negro on the plantation appeal.
I am a field hand and proud of it.
Although I can whip up some biscuits,
And clean and take care of a house.
You may even see me fixing a shingle.

But...
I will also sneak off to read a book.
And appear at banquets,
Regardless of how I look.
And dare to socialize and entertain.

I'm not defined by my emotional hangups!
Or will allow engrossing conversations about it!
To then remain upset,
Because I may be patronized.

'How does it feel to be a Black man,
In today's intolerant society.'

Excuse me?
I hope you are not representing,
An abundance of ignorance here.
If so,
Let me know!
I'd rather go out and plow.
Or feed some surprised cow in the field.
I will not be sharing ancestral stories.

I can choose to impress if I wish...
IF I took that time.
And I can be quite 'lofty'
When I use my mind to dropp jaws and lips.
If I so incline!

But what would be accomplished...
And my purpose for it?
I know who I already 'R'!
And I can 'beez' all that...
If I wanted.
But my needs are simplistically met.

However...
Trying to find acceptance,
To excuse my heritage that I embrace...
Will not leave me to monitor my outer appearance.
Just to be another fool,
With no identity or dignity...
To acknowledge being disgraced.

Some just choose to be seen and beam.

And when I lead...
I do not follow!
Just in case you might think I'd be annoyed,
By you calling me 'boy'.
Or make reference to my coloredness.

Those 'others' might trip!
But me...
I've already been through it.
And my preferences are not exceeded,
By my expectations.
Or judgements 'I' may pass.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Fishing For Fresh Water Bass

By the time their minds begin unfolding...
They will have the consciousness
Of also knowing,
The ignorance they manifested...
Will provide such a stench,
To bring clarity to their eyes as well!
Getting accustomed to truth...
Is like being slapped in the face
By a 'trout'!
When all the time,
You thought you were fishing for fresh water bass!
And then all of a sudden...
A mind awakens to guilt,
And a polluted thought process!
You now see...
Had been addicting!
And those folks you 'had' thought were crazy...
And out of their minds?
You now find a desire to be in their presence!
And they now look upon you with suspicion!
Hey...
That's how it is!
NOW,
Attempt to have a conversation with someone...
You knew,
Before you lost the confinement,
Of your once narrowed mind!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

As If Waiting To Be Revenged

There is something about being disrespected,
That cements itself in one's mind to stay.
As if waiting to be revenged.
No matter who pretends a forgiveness has been given...
As if one's approval has been voted upon to be accepted.
By those who participated in the disrespecting.
The one disrespected does not forget.

And the culprits aren't quite sure,
If their deeds done have been remembered.
But if anyone has been singled out for mockery...
Well,
The odds they will remember being ridiculed,
Are pretty much one sided.
And those who have been 'stung' by people like this,
Do not awaken as if overnight they are excited and prepared...
To be in the presence of those whose minds have been rehabilitated.

I could care less how many scriptures are quoted.
And the recent donation of their charitable ways.
A conscious attack made upon another.
Is an attack upon another that was made consciously.
Say that any way you please.

If anything,
New tactics have been learned that has sealed one's identity.
And one's dignity maintained is never compromised,
By those wishing to make other people miserable.
And there is nothing like watching people like that,
Do that to themselves.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Wild n Free

(ian hunter)
Wild n free wild n free
Wild n free wild n free
Oh! Id never known what it was like to free
I always thought it was never true
I got a feeling I was lost in space
Did not like my face
Just wanted to be
Wild n free wild n free
Like a hurricane
Wild n free wild n free
Oh insanitys so insane
Wild n free wild n free
I aint got no got no got no name
Wild n free wild n free
Dont want no ball and chain
Damn people telling me that I was thinking bad
Had me believing they was right
All they wanted was another slob
In some stinking job
That just aint me I just want to be
W w w wild n free wild n free
Like a hurricane
Wild n free wild n free
Oh insanitys so in so insane
Wild n free wild n free
I aint got no name
Wild n free wild n free
I dont I dont want to know a ball and chain
Just then I found out I was too broke to get out
So I took to the road no one was having me
I said dont want no handouts
Cause Im making out
You aint like me I just want to be
Uh uh uh wild n free
I tried to tell you babe but you never understood
I always tried to make you see
But you believed just what your old man said
He had you chained to his head
And its on tv tv tv tv
Want to be want to be want to be
Wild n free wild n free
Like a hurricane
Wild n free wild n free
Oh insanitys so insane
Wild n free wild n free
I aint got no got no got no name
Wild n free wild n free
Dont want no ball and chain
Wild n free wild n free
Just like a ball a ball a ball of fire
Wild n free wild n free
Like it high its getting higher
Wild n free wild n free
Like some bolt from out the sky
Wild n free wild n free
Like some bullett
Say goodbye

song performed by by Ian Hunter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

This Sensitivity Business

When I think of me and myself and I...
I am often quite surprised,
By the little attention I give...
To being that kind of guy.

I've been accused of being self centered,
Many times.
But nothing I have done can define me that way.
Although, I admit, I did one time 'try'.

I tried to feel that I am 'all' that.
I even got up one morning,
Promising myself no one else would matter.
Prepared with a list of accomplishments to announce.
With a printing of them on flyers so they would scatter.

Boring!

Within twenty-four hours other folks were on my mind.
After I spent a day observing 'them'.
And losing myself within creative intentions to complete...
Some activity that would influence the undoing,
A lack of concern and the misery many find.

Oh...
This sensitivity business,
Is not cool with me sometimes.
I often awaken thinking what it would be like,
To have only wining and dining on my mind all the time.
With a clock to beat...
Thinking of retirement as I laid on some beach.

And 'if' I didn't accept early in my life,
That it wasn't all about me...
I'd be contributing to complaints on a daily basis,
Doing that as my contribution to community outreach.

I'm blessed to hear from others...
I perceive much better off with time to do that.
Since I am blessed to be self centered free...
And not have limitation on my mind as a trap!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Lost To Find My Lot

Lost in a world, that scares me to death,
Lost in a crowd I’m losing my breath,
Lost as a kid, lost as an adult
I feel everything is falling apart and its my fault
Lost as a person, cant find my way
Lost in life every day, Lost in worry
Who am I?
I’ve lived a Lie
Lost to Kindness,
Lost to Love
Lost in the sky,
Like a lonely dove
Lost in thought which I shouldn’t do
It Winds me up,
I can’t get through
Lost to comfort all kind words
Lost to advice that isn’t heard
Lost to those who really care?
All these people always there
Lost in Me, I need a break
Lost in wonder which road should I take?
Lost in a place I don’t know well
Where are you now? There’s no one to tell
Lost here all alone To break these walls
Lost in mind
Lost in soul
Lost memories, there just a hole
Lost family, lost my place
Still yet I’m full of hate
Lost in boredom think I’ll leave
There’s a lot in life I need to achieve

poem by Olivia Braun
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Today... The Thought of You Disgust Me to Tears

You are just not worthy,
Of my love and loyalty.
You dismiss my attempts,
To be totally devoted...
As something owed.
As if I was born to be attracted to you.
And you,
Happened to have been doing charity work.
With a decision you made to do me a favor.

You are just not worthy,
Of my patience I give with blind tolerance.
Others tried to convince me,
I made it too easy for you to use and abuse...
My inability to stop loving you.
Others tried to convince me,
You did nothing for me but treat me like a fool.

But the fool made in this scenerio is Y-O-U.
And you've proven that is if proud to announce it.
Well...
There is nothing left for you to announce.
No integrity left for you to save.
I use to think of you as being bold and brave.
Honest to a fault and inspiring.
Today...
The thought of you disgust me to tears.

Any picture I have of you,
Sitting high on a pedestal in my mind...
I seek to medicate to have you removed.
Anything to get me to feel I am cleansed.
The thought of ever being near you,
Embraced in a nakedness, exposed to show truth...
Has left me feeling cheap and dirty!
You disgust me to tears.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Today... The Thought of You Disgust Me to Tears

You are just not worthy,
Of my love and loyalty.
You dismiss my attempts,
To be totally devoted...
As something owed.
As if I was born to be attracted to you.
And you,
Happened to have been doing charity work.
With a decision you made to do me a favor.

You are just not worthy,
Of my patience I give with blind tolerance.
Others tried to convince me,
I made it too easy for you to use and abuse...
My inability to stop loving you.
Others tried to convince me,
You did nothing for me but treat me like a fool.

But the fool made in this scenerio is Y-O-U.
And you've proven that is if proud to announce it.
Well...
There is nothing left for you to announce.
No integrity left for you to save.
I use to think of you as being bold and brave.
Honest to a fault and inspiring.
Today...
The thought of you disgust me to tears.

Any picture I have of you,
Sitting high on a pedestal in my mind...
I seek to medicate to have you removed.
Anything to get me to feel I am cleansed.
The thought of ever being near you,
Embraced in a nakedness, exposed to show truth...
Has left me feeling cheap and dirty!
You disgust me to tears.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Bring On The Lucie

We don't care what flag you're waving
We don't even want to know your name
We don't care where you're from or where you're going
All we know is that you came
You're making all our decisions
We have just one request of you
That while you're thinking things over
Here's something you just better do
Free the people now
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Free the people now
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Well we were caught with our hands in the air
Don't despair paranoia is everywhere
We can shake it with love when we're scared
So let's shout it aloud like a prayer
Free the people now
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Free the people now
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
We understand your paranoia
But we don't want to play your game
You think you're cool and know what you are doing
666 is your name
So while you're jerking off each other
You better bear this thought in mind
Your time is up you better know it
But maybe you don't read the signs
Free the people now
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Free the people now
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Well you were caught with your hands in the kill
And you still got to swallow your pill
As you slip and you slide down the hill
On the blood of the people you killed
Stop the killing (free the people now)
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Stop the killing (free the people now)
Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it now
Bring on the lucie

song performed by by Lennon John
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Emotional Bullies

We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
With sensitivities we should question,
The need to protect and defend them.

Shame begets what shame gets to be 'gotten'.
In return.
What other lesson do we need to learn,
But 'that'?
And all lessons learned are together attached.

Something in our minds disconnected.
To trigger quick and snap!

We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
We should at least be maintaining our own dignity.
Self-respect.
And a proud identity.
Flaunted!
And undaunted by the implementation of those insecurities!
And who hasn't had those?

LIES!
If you live you have had those!
And please...
No debate with me do I invite,
On the topic of 'Which Side of Ignorance Is Right'

It is what it is.
So if that makes you uptight...
Go somewhere and backbite me.
I see the thought of it enlightens your eyes.
I'm sure your lips would prepare,
Something with venom..
If I called you a 'fool'.

Would that get you there any sooner?

We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?

When are we going to come to challenge one another,
To overcome and defend the right to mend within us?
That is the real fear.
And that makes us all not want to come face to face,
With an ugliness we all see in ourselves.

And that takes work.
To self examine.
In the convenient fields of doubt.
With,
Initiative and desires unknown!
And hope with wishes knocked out of practiced.
As over rehearsed sorrows about who did who wrong...
Remains centerstage.
Provoked by new lines found on someone's cellphone.

'I just love the way drive.
With so much compassion.'

When are we going to come to challenge one another,
To overcome and defend the right to mend within us?
God knows...
What is on stage right now has long required re-writes.
With a consistent updating, scrub and polish.

'...I haven't been driving too long.
Infact, you are my second passenger.'

We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
And 'own up' to that which we do,
To reveal the same thoughts being shared.

But what is not there has been purposely kept away.

LOVE!
When never known,
Can not be there to share unconditionally.
It has to under conditions met,
Be shown.
With committment!
Desire.
Hot.
But not to overheat kept respect.

We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
When will we begin to look up and over,
Our own barriers?
Our own deliberating and limited intentions,
To free what it is that we don't want to feel.
It is not wanted!
Why is it there?

To free what it is that we don't want to feel.
And welcome what it is that we do,
Wish.
To feel.
We should at least be maintaining our own dignity.
Self-respect.
And a proud identity.
Flaunted!
Undaunted,
By the implementation of those insecurities!
And who hasn't had those to chase away?
Insecurities?
Emotional bullies.

Insecurities?
Emotional bullies.
Same 'thang'!
Get rid of 'em!

We should not be undercover,
To announce the recovery of another's blame.
Or an addicting unconsciousness,
That leaves us entrapped within our own barriers?
And a lot of paranoia has been known,
To be shown from that.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

This Is About Identity and Principle

What difference does it make,
Whose heart you take and break?
What difference will you fake next...
If you say you've made mistakes,
When those mistakes leave heartbreak...
Over again,
In a thoughtless process unconsciously taken!

And this is not about money,
Or being Afrocentric.
This is about identity and principle.
One's integrity and dignity.

This is about those areas of life,
That have never dawned on you.
Because you are just too caught up in 'things'.
And no one can pay for magic to happen...
If one's mind is already established in ego!
To adorn and impress,
A valued emptiness.

And...
Let me leave you with this,
When did you determine I was not Afrocentric?
Was it before or after you recognized I was not subservient?
Or after you obtained the benefit of my efforts...
Erased from beneath your footsteps.
And I had been freed with blood I left...
From displaying a humblizing ignorance.
You find to market is best.
Or was 'that' something you had been told?
By those sold on reaching for already polished gold.

You do not remember the days,
The path you did not pave...
Had not been laid with choices,
Do you?
But I forget...
You represent that generation absent of deeds.
Delusioned and free of struggle.

You just want to shine...
Regardless of who holds your spotlight.
Or who had paid to have that light shine upon you.
I knew those unafraid to be challenged by those paths unpaved.
And perhaps my comfort with that...
Leaves you opinionated that I am not aware,
I am black?
I just don't carry the affects of that on my back!
And why should I...
When every stride I glide is still followed!

And this is not about money,
Or being Afrocentric.
This is about identity and principle.
One's integrity and dignity.
And none of that do you represent...
As a means for your survival!
I can where...
And with whom I sit and eat.
That is something yet I can not do.
As I pretend to be unaware...
Of the closeness of my oppressor's teeth.
And you...
Could care less of who makes the mess.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Even If They Have to Annoy

Why do they waste time,
Trying to find the deeds of others...
Insignificant!
When their own activities,
Produce little to none at all.
None to announce a coming stampede,
To awaken a sleeping community with news!
These folks are not that tremendous.
Nor are their jaw dropping, heart stopping
Accomplishments!
And they elaborate in detail,
About the years they have spent...
Doing something of relevance,
For some cause somewhere...
Somehow.
For someone...
At one time or another.
But it is not the insignificance found,
They question.
As much as it is the time those find,
Pointing out what others are not doing...
To highlight the obviousness of their lack of inactivity!
These folks want attention by any means necessary.
Even if they have to annoy to get it!
And they can become quite annoying when ignored.
Demanding.
And obnoxious!
But they will be the first to tell you...
Why and how they do what they do.
No matter if that time has been given or not,
It will be taken!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Summer Rain

When you stop seeing beauty
You start growing old
The lines on your face
are a map to your soul
When you stop taking chances
You'll stay where you sit
You won't live any longer
But it'll feel like it
I lost myself in the summer rain
I lost myself
I lost myself in the summer rain
In the summer rain
Tequila and Orange
Jamaica and rum
At the Morella
Honey on my tongue
In a small boat on a generous sea
You let me be your enemy
Tiny hand
With a grip on the world
Holding our breath now
Diving for pearls
I lost myself in the summer rain
I lost myself
I lost myself in the summer rain
Just as you find me
Always I will be
A little bit too free
With myself
Just as you find me
Always I will be
A little bit too free
With myself
I lost myself in the summer rain
I lost myself
Now there's no one else
In the summer rain
Raining down
Raining down
Rain
Raining now
Raining now
Just as you find me
Always I will be
A little bit too free
With myself
Just as you find me
Always I will be
A little bit too free
With myself
It's not why you're running
It's where you're going
It's not what you're dreaming
But what you're gonna do
It's not where you're born
It's where you belong
It's not how weak
But what will make you strong

song performed by by U2
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Have You Ever Done That Before?

Your 'things' do not make you a better human being.
You may believe they establish you a status.
But there is something that can be said about pretense...
That leaves those hungering to spend their time,
With people who express a common sense...
From thought producing minds.

It is a rarity to find folks,
Who have not been tainted or provoked...
By teased materialistic dreams.
Or the kind of people who become identified...
By where they live and what they drive.
Living a quality of life that seems delightfully contrived.
Yet inside of them there is a frightful hollowness...
That is silently screamed,
And quietly demeaning them.

Your 'things' do not make you a better human being.
And their absence,
Also has not revealed you possess an integrity.

With your identity gone packed away with your 'things'...
And no integrity left you can display or bring,
What is it that you claim you can give to offer?
Superficiality?
Okay...
And,
What else do you have besides that?

Do you have anything we can chew on that's concrete?
How about a conversation we all can contribute.
Have you ever done that before?
Had you considered comprehending after listening,
To complete sentences...
Delivered to your assuming ears.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

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
Vote! | Copy!

What It Takes to Lead

Can one completely lost of wit,
Be held accountable...
For not having an independent thought,
At all.

Everyone born...
Isn't always guaranteed,
Common sense.
And those ignorantly involved in 'their' nonsense,
Have not a clue they are not well.
Even a barrage of thrown hints,
Would go left unaddressed.
Those folks are focused on their greed.
With a twisted ego to keep them fixed.

Can one completely lost of wit,
Be held accountable...
For not having an independent thought,
At all.

'Good question.
I can't answer it.

The next one plays basketball.
And his wife takes no nonsense.
I think we all are in for quite a surprise.
These new folks are totally awake!
And they know what it takes to lead! '

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!