I Will Remain Connected Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I will remain connected,
To an identity that reflects respect...
And honors the dignity of my ancestors.
With an upholding I will never neglect.
Teased by fashion and designer fads,
Only to last for the next impression to make...
Is not part of my D.N.A.
My ancestry I pride and 'it' I will never fake.

I will remain connected,
To an identity that reflects respect.
Too many I observe to witness and see,
Have been too willing to leave behind to find...
Substitutes to replace and reduce,
The keeping to reveal their true ethnicity.
With adopting to adapt to beliefs just to deny,
Who they are and 'should' be to sacrifice with lies.

Not me.
I have no dreams to be perceived as anyone else.
I stand on two feet to walk with purpose.
And I do this not to seek defeat anticipated to meet.
I am connected to an identity that reflects respect!