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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Related quotes
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
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To Get Done And With Competence
I don't intend to offend when I begin,
To write...
It just happens,
Within my scope of a life I define...
From my point of view.
And,
Hey...
This point of view is mine!
Today...
I am not selling congeniality.
Nor am I embittered with that kind of...
Mood swinging attitude,
Like some say I am since I do walk,
As if I've got swagger.
And not pulling myself,
Through a field of molasses.
You know...
Like the ones who humble themselves,
To be accepted while filling out a job application.
With their bowed heads and upturned eyes?
And their smile-on-cue demeanors.
I am respectful not a clown!
And I do not 'yes' my way through conversations.
If I have an opinion...
I might express it 'If' I am challenged,
To apply my experience and intelligence...
When communicating a seriousness left,
I wish to leave.
Although I have had my share of injustices.
Some blatant and some masked as if...
I am to understand my minority status,
As a declared human being.
And people who approach me that way,
Are left learning a few lessons.
'The world is a classroom.'
Whenever there is a need to be taught,
A few things about life.
Since I do enjoy delivering...
Some concepts of my own.
I don't often 'trip' like that!
And it does offend those who believe,
I should know my place!
And their place?
Not to get in my way...
If I am expected to perform a task,
To get done and with competence.
Which to 'them' and those like them...
Is another thing that offends.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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A Public Apology
Public apologies are the new confessional.
So here goes.
I apologize for not knowing where to start with my apologies.
I apologize for being tainted with the sins of Adam.
I apologize for blaming Eve for the sins of Adam.
I apologize to the Serpent, who was just following orders.
I apologize for the seductiveness of ripe apples on the Tree of Knowledge. I just didn’t know at the time.
I apologize for not taking Genesis 1 literally.
I apologize for not appreciating the allegorical significance of Genesis 1.
I apologize for blaming the Jews for crucifying Christ.
I apologize for not being quicker to blame the relevant parties for the crucifixion of Christ.
I apologize for not giving independence to America sooner.
I apologize to the Native Americans for invading their great God’s-own country.
I apologize to the Native Americans for not stopping them sooner from killing each other’s tribes.
I apologize for entering into business agreements with the chiefs of certain coastal African tribes to bring their captives from their tribal wars to resolve America’s manpower shortage.
I apologize for dwelling on the sufferings of my family in the Holocaust, without considering the mental and emotional agony of those obliged to follow orders to massacre them.
I apologize for messing with Iraq.
I apologize for not doing a better job of messing with Iraq.
I apologize for not being Politically Correct.
I apologize for being Politically Correct.
I apologize for throwing all these things in your face and encouraging you to feel complicit in my guilt.
I apologize for not apologizing sooner.
I apologize for all the things I haven’t the imagination and humanity to apologize for.
Oh to hell with it.
poem by Michael Shepherd
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Okay, Okay, Okay! I Get It. I Apologize
Okay, okay, okay!
I get it.
I apologize.
I should not have called you an idiot.
I should have left it alone as a thought.
But since I have apologized
Let us both pretend,
You are not the fool I believe you are.
And you can forgive me for any perceptions,
You assume in the future
I might have of you that offend.
Even those thoughtless statements,
I may make in public
And surrounded by an attentive audience,
You now know
I did not intend to mention as they were heard.
And repeated.
Over and over again.
I'm glad you realize,
We all make mistakes.
Although they may be done on a regular basis.
I appreciate your acceptance of my apology.
I promise from now on,
I will make attempts to be more conscious.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Hmph...People
Leave me alone.
'Okay,
I will.'
I'm not talking to you.
'I see.
Then...
Who ARE you talking to? '
No one in particular.
It has been a while since I've said it.
And it is refreshing to know,
You weren't offended at all.
I remember the days,
My saying that would upset you.
'Why should I feel offended?
Or upset.
I was hoping you weren't going to ask me,
Where I am going? '
What?
Where are you going?
'That's none of your business.
And I'm hoping that doesn't offend.
Now you can practice not getting upset.'
Upset?
Why should I get upset?
You're trying to get me upset.
And I'm not a child.
You can do whatever you want.
Who cares?
I don't.
Upset?
Why should I get upset?
You're trying to get me upset.
You can do whatever you want.
Who cares?
I don't.
And what are you laughing about?
'I was only teasing.
I'm not going anywhere.'
Oh yes you are!
You're going to leave me alone.
'Okay,
I will.'
People!
They will do anything to get on your nerves.
Upset?
As if I was that easily provoked!
Hmph...people!
'I heard that.'
Who cares!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Here to Breakdown Barriers
Please.
No need to apologize.
We all have a reason to misinterpret.
And yes, I do agree.
They should regard it a privilege,
That I am in their presence.
Ain't too many of me up in here!
Providing 'urban' insight.
From a point of view,
They believe from TV 'should' be...
Full of venom with tidbits of hate.
Because I am a black man.
Raised in projects they have created,
And made ghettos.
I do not serve that kind of mentality.
You see...
I know I have more to offer.
And I give it to them for free.
I am not a Huxtable.
Although I greatly appreciate Bill Cosby.
He too delivers from an insight fresh!
And as a writer/poet...
I do my best to express from a consciousness,
Much broader than the confines...
Of mindsets defined by one's color.
And from me,
People do get those experiences and observations...
Far beyond fenced in divisions.
And from me,
Expressed!
Not based upon beliefs or limitations of ignorance.
Those boundaries I wish to stretch!
And many might find that offensive,
Since it represents an intelligence unrestricted.
And some wish more ethnicity to see,
To classify me.
I defy those branded standards.
I am here to breakdown barriers!
Not to build them!
There are too many of those architects.
And I do not apply my insights,
To those aging blueprints I detest.
Yes.
And those who say they judge folks on their character?
Should not self annoint themselves as judges at all!
That's the point I make!
Again...
I am here to breakdown barriers!
Not to build them!
Or provide a safety net...
For those insecurities yet to heal.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Commits To The Giving Of It
How can one not love another,
Who commits to the giving of it...
Unconditionally?
And the last thing anyone should do,
Is to get upset...
By a point of view expressed.
Especially if that point of view,
Is shared between someone loved.
And doing it to communicate too.
Too many people share relationships,
To become angry over nothing quick.
Just to begin an unending argument.
Too many people become easily offended,
When something different that is mentioned...
Causes one not to listen and refuses to pay attention.
And the last thing anyone should do,
Is to get upset...
By a point of view expressed.
How can one not love another,
Who commits to the giving of it...
Unconditionally as true love is meant to be.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Dear Interpreter Of My Life
Dear interpreter of my life.
And how I've come to live it...
From your point of view.
With your assessing insight.
There are times I find,
Your comments quite amusing.
And other times they annoy...
Since within my mind,
Many experiences...
Have been employed.
Dear interpreter of my life.
And how I've come to live it...
From your point of view.
I do my best to respect opinion.
I do my best to bite my tongue.
I do my best,
Not to debate the life I've lived.
Because a comprehension,
Prevents comparisons to others...
Who are on separate missions!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Guess Who Will Find THAT Offensive?
My comments offend?
Your skin must be very thin.
If my depictions are available,
To be observed...
And your eyes have been fixed on sweets.
While you couldn't get enough,
Of those delusions fed...
To quickly eat of that 'funky stuff'.
My comments once made,
Freely and unafraid...
Will eventually be all up in your head,
To repeat back to me.
And guess who will find THAT offensive?
People like you who now wish,
They had listened and not passed judgement.
Have you ever heard the term,
'It Is Never Too Late? '
Look around you.
What time have you been waiting for to arrive?
That has long been sitting to visit.
And right before your eyes undisguised.
I didn't welcome that.
You did!
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
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God Is The Main One
I know I am on no one's 'Favorite Things to Do' list.
It has been a long time since I've been twenty one.
I don't have money in the bank.
No home I own,
Or car to drive.
I am among many...
Who do what they can to survive.
My hair is grey,
And will hopefully turn white.
I've been married before!
Even done that twice.
But I do feel blessed,
With health I maintain.
I'm grateful to say...
'Thank God I've remain sane! '
My social life is zero.
And I'm no hero to no one.
However...
You are in no position to assess my life.
I enjoy the peace of mind I have.
And the things I do...
I like!
I don't apologize for anything done that I did.
When I walk I do that proudly.
Caring less about those who can not forget or forgive.
Today very few have options.
They have lived for things,
Now to find them meaningless.
And I may have nothing to show you I possess.
Although you appear to have everything.
Except the presence of happiness.
And a life without happiness...
Can not fully be expressed!
You see the sky?
Without a cloud and exposing Sun?
That's the way I feel!
Dismissing anyone who believes,
I'm the one they can look down upon.
Like others receiving judgements,
By those doing that as a means to have fun!
And God is the Main One in my life,
That's got me like that!
And I'll leave 'that' with you!
You can look away if you wish.
Since you have nothing...
To keep me here,
I find benefits or attract!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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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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And You Say I Am Not The Giving Kind
I offend you?
Good.
But, please...
Do not attribute my giving,
As a charitable act.
I would have contributed that anyway,
To assist you with this acknowledgement...
If I had not offended you,
Who would have taken time to do it?
You didn't think about that did you?
I know!
But all you want to do is to accuse me of being abusive.
Self-centered, mean and cruel.
Have I ever been that selfish?
No!
When I am angry about anything,
Aren't you the first one I come to...
To express it?
Yes.
And you say I am not the giving kind.
Oh...
The thought of you thinking that appalls me!
I offend you?
Good.
At least you know I remain devoted.
Name any of your true friends who can say that?
Among your friends I bet there is more than one,
Who secretly wishes to be offended.
And here I am...giving you that AND in abundance.
And you say I am not the giving kind.
Oh...
The thought of you thinking that appalls me!
Yes.
I am 'A' with a 'P' palled ya'll.
And,
Admittedly sensitive.
I am 'A' as I can be with a 'P' and palled.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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To Reciprocate...Without the Need of Words
Sometimes I fail to respond,
To a request that has been made.
Often in my humility,
I'm left with nothing to say.
Or wish within myself,
I could communicate...
Without words to select from.
Or create a debate,
I did not intend.
And then I don't want to offend.
Anyone who is sensitive,
And may not comprehend...
What it is I am feeling then.
Sometimes I fail to respond,
To a request that has been made.
Often in my humility,
I'm left with nothing to say.
And I guess that is why I am blessed to write.
With a craving that feeds my appetite.
And learning from my own experiences,
I have preferences and things I like.
With a hope within me,
One day I might...
Share nibbles and bits of my life,
And to reciprocate...
Without the need of words,
Or one sound made.
And let our eyes just express,
What is digested.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Not Trying To Sell This
I don't feel that offended to defend my point of view.
Why would I feel a need to do it?
I can look back at my footsteps,
And realize I have lived my life with and without critique.
I continue to do the same thing to this day.
Only faith tested has brought me this far and kept me.
That is why I do not seek what your opinion of me is!
Your life as you live it has not been my main focus.
I have been conscious of my own experiences.
And they have kept me too emotionally busy.
Some when they came left me numb and stunned.
I don't feel that offended to defend my point of view.
It has been earned and I like it.
I am not trying to sell this to anyone,
Yet.
And when and 'if' that should happen...
I still wouldn't have any regrets.
Some delays expressed,
Maybe!
I have been fortunately blessed to place my steps,
Where they were urgently needed.
With just a few who knew from where they led!
To where they would come to grips,
With another experience welcomed to visit.
That's how I have come to look at it.
My life is to be lived!
So...
Make any attempt you wish to discredit my efforts!
Guess who would know it and still keep steppin'?
Feeling there is nothing from anyone,
I seeks that needs approval.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Effected Etiquette
Oh...
There are a few choice cuss words,
I'd like to use right now.
But I do not want to offend...
Your high brow outlook.
Or your effected etiquette.
I respect your false pretentiousness maintained.
Really, I do.
But you have to admit...
You would like to let your hair down,
And cuss a little bit!
You have got to have something else on your mind?
Especially today.
Something besides appropriate table placements.
And where your dinner guests will sit?
Daring...
With the nerve to complain,
About the items given to you...
From the food bank?
And 'those' people you were with!
I am 'trying' my best to respect you!
But you are making me absolutely sick,
With your lack of empathy.
And your devoted self centeredness!
Displayed with such focused objectivity.
Or the lack there of!
Oh...
There are a few choice cuss words,
I'd like to use right now.
But I do not want to offend...
Your high brow outlook.
Or your effected etiquette.
Or ruin the extended invitation,
To me you have given!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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No need of apology
If I did no wrong and yet
Am held so, I would not
Apologize as it would mean
That I apologize for truth
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Honor of Deed
Raised to place their values in 'things'.
And the superficialness of looks,
With the best of false pretensions.
Very few of them have sacrificed their lives,
In the honor of deed.
Without proceeding that 'development'
With the asking for payment,
Or if an hourly fee for their activity was involved.
None would find time available.
If certain desires are not met.
And the few who are...
Available,
Busy themselves for critique,
And fashion!
AND may spend all day perfecting the 'look'!
As if in ceremony.
To welcome their own 'gorgeousness'.
No one would roll up their sleeves.
To sweat for free and purpose?
Even though the act of that,
Would aid in their survival!
These folks would rather be clothed...
Dressed to 'the nines'.
Seen strolling on urban streets looking healthy and 'fine'.
Or at least giving that perception.
Although in reality...
Many thought it distasteful to share.
Or beg for anything to eat!
If that was not done...
Like everthing done they do,
In discreet!
Note:
Dressed to the 'nines' was an expression
said in 'the day' when Black folks, Negroes...
African Americans, if you will, would dress
as if to impress and flaunt their looks. Primarily
in urban centers. Saving their best attire for Sunday.
In a respect that has drastically diminished over the years.
Today...
More are concerned with babysitting idealogies of the past.
As if not to offend the existence of disrespect.
With a condoned neglect and an acceptance of ignorance!
Of course this is an opinion...
many can not seem to erase from the 'clarity' of observation!
As well as other tragic signs of those living in denial.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Elated To Have Been Distanced
From which side are those with kept delusions,
Would 'they' say are most difficult to view?
Those on the side witnessing their values diminished,
By the ones they've entrusted to keep them endeared?
Or the ones advocating the others to be fools,
To dismiss those standards hyped as reality...
When both sides refuse to accept reality as it appears,
With a denying of its existence?
And those censored as nonconformists,
Who continue to offend them with truth...
Are defamed on a daily basis,
For their attempts to introduce truth to them.
From which side are those with kept delusions,
Would 'they' say are most difficult to view?
When both sides refuse to accept reality as it appears,
With a denying of its existence?
And those censored as nonconformists,
Sing their praises to be the ones isolated...
To view all of this from a higher consciousness.
And elated to have been distanced.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Why You Buggin'?
I don't mean to be offensive.
But I do believe...
People who make mistakes,
At someone's expense...
Should be held accountable.
To me this makes common sense.
~Pardon me,
There has been a slight oversight.
You have charged me the wrong amount.
I've given you my senior I.D.
And I am due a 10 percent discount.
I was just looking over my receipt...
And...see, right here...you've...~
'Chill!
Why you buggin'?
Why you want that announced.
I know what I'm doin'.
If you don't like it...
Just bounce! '
~Uh...
Huh?
You've charged me incorrectly.
I just want to point out the mistake.
I didn't intend to embarrass you.
I'm the one on a fixed income.
With a few pennies pinched...
I can even save.
You see...
That error made is on you!
Do you wish me to apologize,
For your incompetence too? ~
'Why you buggin'?
I see what I've done.
Do you think you are the only customer?
I don't have time to waste on just one! '
~WELL...
Am I paying for your attitude?
Your disrespect and tongue so crude,
Too?
Why don't you add a few cuss words with that?
So I can 'trip' the hell out of here.
And never bother to come back! ~
'That's fine with me!
NEXT in line!
Hopefully someone,
With courtesy on their mind! '
~Courtesy?
CUR-TAH SEE?
EXCUSE ME...
WHAT? ~
'Why you buggin'? '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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