On Their Terms Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Showing an indifference,
With a building of fences to defend them...
To then expect a unity to get,
That is window dressed and diversified...
Just to keep one's biases undenied to hide.
Makes it difficult to prove,
An improvement in attitudes are being removed.

It's so hard to manifest a success to profess,
Without a giving up that which affects...
A preventing of steps to move forward.
It's hard to turn away from a yesterday gone.
When there are many who protest,
A leaving behind those times in their minds..
Even their ancestors prayed to forget.

People speak of unity,
But on their terms to direct.
People speak of unity,
But steps to do it...
Are not accepted unless,
Some receive more benefit.
To leave others left with less.

People speak of unity.
But reject to give respect,
As an entitlement to expect.
With some dividing themselves to decide,
If a unity to be done...
Is not on their terms to get,
They will enforce it with conflict.
Until their wishes are met.