Marooned With Delusions Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

They made sure James Baldwin,
Felt uncomfortable.
And decided Josephine Baker,
Was too original.
So she was ostracized.

And since the people,
Refused to represent themselves...
With an identity they themselves believed,
They accepted being oppressed...
As an expression of protection.

And to this very day,
They seek additional ways...
In which to continue this process,
With a hope someone amongst them...
Can prove to do it the best.

To say their mindsets have been left in the dessert,
Is to confront them with the reality...
There is not an 'oasis' that exists.
Or a floating ship that can be found,
Awaiting them to board on a sand dune.

They have been marooned with delusions.
However...
They have been convinced with a faith kept,
A Sunbathing is theirs to have...
On an upper deck.