Returning Back To School Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

They slaughtered Native American Indians.
Separated Africans from their families.
And packed them in ships to enslaved them.
Treating like...
"Manure? "
Yes. That's it Timmie.
Then anyone Mexican,
They called them everything under the Sun.
With a...
Yes, Timmie?
You have a question?
"Yes."
Okay. Please share.
"Are you a racist? "
Me? No. Why do you ask?
"Then...
Why do you keep bringing up the facts all the time?
My parents say,
Anyone who talks about,
What was done in the past...
Are racists.
And that's why they carry confederate flags,
To all the protest rallies."

Uh.
Uhhh.

"Doesn't everyone have the right,
To know the truth from their point of view? "

Uh.
Uhhh...
It has been awhile,
Since we have been away from school.

"Does that Black Lives Matter movement,
Have anything to do...
With the virus and keeping a social distance.
And wearing masks?
Can you explain when a pandemic,
Is a pandemic. And when it's a hoax? "

Hold on for a few minutes, Timmie.
I have to go to the principal's office.
Things have changed so fast.
I don't know what we're suppose to be teaching.
Or what's in. Or what's out.
What's appropriate. What's not appropriate.
Who's patriotic or what or who these days,
Any of us are pledging an allegiance to.
I'll be right back.
You kids behave yourselves.