I'vegot To Stop Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Your presence is needed.
More today than ever before.
Many hearts and minds once closed.
Are now receptive and open.
Not a knock to be heard,
Is ignored on these doors.

Your presence is needed.
Felt to know it not to dismiss.
Many faithful have begun to test,
Facing truth and its effects...
On negative opposition.
And those who build webs,
Of an unhappiness to regret.

Many are seeing troubles they have caused.
To fault and blame others,
For their own blemishes and flaws.
And as difficult as this awareness has been,
Many have begun to look at themselves.
To realize it is not others.
But with them where it has to begin,
With it said...
"I've got to stop,
Depending on evil.
I have got to stop,
Creating wars.
And I have to stop,
Turning my back...
On neighbors next door.
I've got to stop,
Pointing my fingers.
I've got to stop,
My love to lie.
Doing it to deny with an alibi.
I've got to stop,
Doing what I do.
Doing what I do to choose.
I've got to stop,
Doing what I do.
Doing what I do to accuse.
I've got to stop,
Doing what I do.
Doing what I do to abuse."

Your presence is needed.
More today than ever before.
Many hearts and minds are opening.
Realizing more and more.
What has been inflicted.
And in the mirror they see it.
The victim and the accuser.
In one face they can not ignore.
No longer.

"I have got to stop it,
Now...
Depending on evil.
I have got to stop it,
Now...
Creating conflicts.
Conflicts that don't benefit.
Conflicts that leave me sick from it.
Conflicts that don't benefit.
Conflicts that leave me sick from it.
I've got to stop this,
Now! "