Outside Looking In Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

The most difficult thing,
One does to choose to do 'first'.
Is the facing of truth to accept it.

This process should not be,
Unnecessarily painful.
But for many this decision to make,
Is as excruciating as a tooth pulled.
Without novocaine.
Something to ease the suffering done.

And to do,
With and accepting not to refuse...
What others may say or perceive,
Who it is they've been made...
To believe we are and should be.

Although,
Improving ourselves to value the process...
Should not upset,
Anyone knowing this step taken...
Will always have someone criticizing,
To minimize and belittle...
Whatever the improvement noticed to do.
From the outside looking in.

And from the outside looking in,
Like many afraid who stay to display...
On a daily basis.
Surfaced imitations to safely create them.

"You find it difficult being you?
And the truth to live it.
Regardless of who refuses you to accept."

-Uh...
Excuse me.
For a moment I thought you were talking to me.-

"I am.
No need to look around."

-Have we met?
Do you know me? -

"Not yet.
Maybe one day you will allow that to happen."

-Huh? Say what? -

"Think about it.
And after you take off that mask,
Perhaps the real you...
Both of us will meet."

-Get away from me.
Before I 'see something to say something'.-

"Let's hope so."

-Before you go.
What are you talking about? -

"Well...
I saw something and I said something about it! "