Respect Remembered Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I remember...
When expressing respect,
To everyone.
Had been as common,
As leaving the door open...
That invited,
Even strangers to come in.
Without a knock.
Just their presence announced.
And back then,
To live in a low-income...
Project complex.
Honesty and trust,
Was not doubted to question.

No one I knew or heard to do,
Treating someone else...
Less than they,
Expected to receive.

And this...
This had been,
An accepted part...
Of all activities.

'Lies!
Just how old are you? '

Uh...
Anyway.
Today?
I recommend and suggest,
Forget those expectations.
Unless...
A prescription taken,
Keeps a medicated high...
Staying that way.
On a daily basis.
Not to realize,
What had one time existed...
Remains to numb the mind.
For as long as the doing of it,
Finds...
Cloudless skies with rainbows.

'Cloudless skies?
WITH...RAINBOWS?
Hmmm...'

And that visit made,
To a primary doctor...
No one these days,
Will regard...
As a legalized drug pusher!
Although the expense,
To have quiet conversations...
Kept between,
Pets, trees and inside plants.
May require,
Additional monthly fees!

'Uh...
Mister old man?
What is the name,
Of that doctor? '