One Tribe Of Different Colors Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

One tribe of different colors and hues,
To value more than the doing of deeds...
Became picked apart by foolish jealousies.
And insecurities used with a focus to accuse,
Which ones amongst them lived better lives...
Than others who were abused by told lies.

Strengths between them were weakened.
Their differences made had begun to be betrayed.
With belief that 'things' to bling and glisten,
Would satisfy the giving of impressions to make.
As a return for a happiness to fake, flaunt and pretend,
To deliver an acceptance that would never come to end.

And from pews and pulpits they began to pray,
To be saved from images they hoped would go away.
Images seen they could not accept...
With a doing to reject a reflection to disrespect.
As impressions to make they faithfully kept.
Believing themselves to be favored and saved.

A mental peace began to leave them.
The strength of the tribe began to wither and die.
Each season strong branches from this tree had dropped.
Each season false beliefs kept from one tribe would not stop.
Disrespecting their differences infested to manifest.
And had risen to top as prioritized lives to live to digest.

'What is it that you talk about?
Family trees, religious beliefs or leaders who deceive?
What is it that you talk about?
Relationships, racism or disrespecting differences?
What is it that you talk about?
Is this a quiz or some kind of test? '

Look in a mirror.
What is it that you reflect you have yet to accept?

'How closely do you want me to look?
Am I looking to detect my own intellect?
Or just my own physical appearance that reflects? '

That depends.

'On what? '

What is prioritized by the teaching of your tribe.
And the acknowledging of differences...
Does that happen undenied,
To respect and not neglect...
With a thriving to survive to keep you all alive.

'But...
What about my things,
I've come to value more than anything.'

Eventually everything will rust to dust.
Regardless of what beliefs you keep,
You've been taught to perceive a doing to achieve...
Does not include yourself,
To leave you mentally weakened...
As you express hollow impressions left to fade,
While one tribe of different colors...
Are no longer seen together to parade and strut pride.