Initiative Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If I choose not to be held accountable,
For your responsibilities.
With an announced committment.
I am not the one to accuse of neglect.
Especially if your own life,
You do not prioritize with respect.

If I am in no position,
To hold your hand and babysit.
You can make all the claims you wish,
To point out my arrogance and selfishness.

I am not here to defend against your opinions.
Nor am I addicted to expressed empathies to give.
I've been taught to get up off my knees from crawling.
And not wait for someone to convince me,
Of my abilities.
Taking initiative does not come easy.
Nor is motivation given,
To appease those lazy...
Who use excuses as they please.


NOTE:
'Thank you T'Ana (my great niece)
Who thanked her grandmother (my sister, Andrea)
Who thanked our mother, Edna...
Who instilled 'initiative' in us,
(my sisters Tammy, Lisa, and yes, Andrea and myself) '

Who says women aren't the backbone of families?
And who says a man can be a man without them,
instilling the meaning of 'initiative'.
~LSP~