Let's Not Jump To Conclusions Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Stop.
Take a moment.
Look around.
Do you 'still' insist,
What you've heard about this place...
And the apparent devastation,
That has affected the inhabitants effectively...
Is just hearsay and misappropriated innuendos?
We are in the midst to observe this reality.

'Why is it you choose to be so negative?
Let's not jump to conclusions.
Besides...
You of all people should know,
That's how rumors their start.
By implication.
I am sure what we are viewing,
Is a part of some kind of inner city festival.'

And the ones limping around?
Wounded?
Should we also suspect,
They have perfected the appearance...
With an exacting costuming of it?

'You know something?
Your sarcasm.
It has a way of taking the joy,
Out of everything.'

My apologies.
It is not my intention,
Although I did mention it...
To be so clinically dissecting.
And with a cynicism that reflects,
What to me is obvious.

'Don't worry about it.
At least I know...
Your expectations for performance,
Is much higher than mine.
Neither one of us really know,
How much time they were given...
To rehearse.
I think what they've done is a great re-enactment.
Afterall...
Others who are viewing this,
Seem to be entertained by it.
Look...
There are vendors all over the place.'

Where I'm from they are called 'panhandlers'.