How Long Had It Been There Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

It would only have taken minutes,
To sit and listen.
Giving undivided and focused attention.
But what was chosen by many to do instead,
Was a protesting not to hear to do or want...
To comprehend or understand,
With ears to leave open and mouths left closed.

And those who chose to protest,
Have found themselves left behind...
In times that have gone.
To find what's going on,
Is a confusing mix of conflict and division...
They condoned to permit with it to exist.
But insist what exists is not what they wished.

'What did you want? '

~Not this.~

'Well...
How long had it been there to sit,
Before your realized it? '