Public Announcements Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Some things needn't be made,
Public announcements.
Like a miserable childhood...
Lived being taunted and misunderstood.
Or feeling as if,
The only one to have endured...
Loneliness and heartache.
Or had emotions that sat,
On the edge of quitting life.
Because another child said...
They heard you peed in bed!
Or pimples on your face,
Reminded them of parasites.

Comeon!
This is no reason to take one's life.

Some things needn't be made,
Public announcements.
Like feeling betrayed,
By those believed has your strictest confidence.
Only to discover sooner or later,
Secrets you had expressed...
Are on all of your neighbors' lips.
There is no need at all,
To have everything confessed.
Especially if you are the type...
To not want all of your business to be addressed.