Do 'Not' Use My Name Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I was once told some years ago,
By someone accustomed...
To being noticeably self indulgent.
Deluded and self-deceived.
'Do 'not' use my name.'

Not only did I think of this,
Such a pretentious comment.
By why would I mention someone's name,
To make any claims on 'my' efforts?
With a doing of it at times with blood to bleed.

And why would I spend my entire life,
Sacrificing with a doing done not to come 'overnight'...
A sharing of my experiences?
To give freely and not ask for anything,
From anyone to leave them receiver of the benefit?

I live each day to learn lessons.
And a teacher I could be 'if' I so choose.
But for someone pretentious to approach me like that?
I've never needed them at all for a free ride on their back,
To make with a creating of my own crafted path.

'Do 'not' use my name.'
And this person was limited to full self-importance.
But I didn't take the time to laugh.
No time in my documented past to be research to believe,
Has been dedicated to waste or take pretenders seriously.

'Do 'not' use my name.'
And I had given them credit,
When that credit was mine to give.
Of course those who embellish,
Rely on delusions with no truth that 'is'.