Lawrence S. Pertillar Poems

You have more invested in it than I do...
And you claim not to have time,
To walk 'your' child across the street...
To go to school?
...

I am not going to follow you,
To feel secure...
In anyone's darkened dungeon.
To feel protected from what?
...

They are against those who oppose everything.
And those who oppose everything,
Are using their position to ensure there is opposition.
While those caught up in between teams,
...

After breaking up we make up enough.
And doing this as if,
There is a benefit...
To us that comes with splitting.
...

Be here and with me.
Let's know are feelings are not,
Hop in and get it.
Hit it and quit.
...

Remember those days,
When empathy for another...
Was an action not premeditated?
It was understood at one time,
...

Why are you doing that?

'In the celebration of Black History Month.
This is the only time of the year,
...

It is difficult to escape the power held,
By those acknowledging a knowledge.
Once it is there and gets one wide awake...
All exits to get away from it,
...

Once done...
And in retrospect,
As one reflects!
Being ostracized,
...

You want to come on the ranch,
And do a bit of hi-dee-hey.
You come expecting everyone to do,
What it is you say, yo!
...