Aged Excuses Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Aged excuses to use and betray common sense,
Have been the same excuses made today to make okay...
A repeating of what has happened in the past,
With a doing that has established the building of fences.
As if alibis to reconstruct can be relied upon,
To solidify values weakened by divisions.
With a strengthening in these times to ensure those patient,
A crumbling of foundations have been purposely meant.
And a unified effort will cement them back again.

However...
People who have made those aged excuses,
Can not from them just escape.
To then blame the ones they have chased away,
For not staying to participate in the havoc or disarray.

Those who have convinced others,
With pretense they are qualified with credentials...
Certified and documented to do what it takes,
With decisions made still awaiting in procrastination...
Have yet to prove what they intend with a doing done to do,
Is without petty jealousies or incompetence...
Which has delayed progress with aged excuses they've created.

'I just want to say one thing.'

~And? ~

'I just want to say...
If we agree to meet again like this,
I suggest someone bring more potato salad...
Baked and 'not' fried chicken wings.
And less vinegar added to the collard greens.'

~Do you know how serious your accusations are?
You could have volunteered to sit on that committee.
That was the first priority we discussed.
And where were you when we were faced with these dilemmas?
Hmmm?
And don't attempt to bring that up now.
We have yet to confirm the building of the next playground,
To keep our growing children occupied and off the streets.
It is the people like you that keep us from fulfilling our dreams.~