Opening Joke Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If I wanted to please everyone...
I'd tell them how fantastic and beautiful they are.
You know...
That stuff folks expect to hear.
Especially out in public.

But geeeesssshhh...
Glancing at this crowd...
I know I have to be honest.
Since I expect most of them,
Would be hearing it for the first time.
And I can see there are lots of folks been lied to...
Sittin' up in here!
You got another pair of sunshades?

And even more would think my honesty,
To be controversial, direct and humorless.
Delivered from the embittered lips,
Of a black man fighting back his anger.

How did truth and honesty,
Become associated with bitterness in the first place?

They get enough amusement anyway.
Some of that stuff that goes on today is so hysterical...
It goes on unacknowledged.
Don't worry!
I've come prepared with an opening joke about economics.
That should rivet them to their seats!
Especially the ones sitting in the front taking notes...
Accustomed to being in seminars.

'Folks...
The topic this evening will be,
'How to Barter and Ghettomize My Pretensions'
Some of you taking notes,
Will find the subject matter rewarding.
IF you already know how to boogey and 'git' down! '