Rhythmically Inclined Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Insecurities mended.
And long to have healed.
With decisions to make.
Admitting my own mistakes.
Whatever you may,
Think of me to be...
My thoughts to keep,
Are independent.

Step aside.
My dignity and pride,
I can't deny or try to hide it.
Too long I've been black.
Inside and out this package.
And many names to be called.
Other than my own.

I know what a bigot is.
Who they are.
And where they live.
I have been introduced,
To truth.
Since I was just a little kid.

So step aside.
Too long I've been black,
Inside and out this package.
With names to been called,
Not to delude what the fact is.

Insecurities once to have,
Are gone to not remember...
Who said what,
Or have me believe...
I had no right to have dignity!

Step aside.
I know who I am.
No need to remind me.
So step aside,
My identity and pride...
I won't deny or try to hide!

'Sir?
I'm not questioning,
Your ethnicity.
I too...
Am of diversity.
However...
In our establishment,
Especially...
On certain special occasions.
Everyone...
Who makes a reservation,
Has to produce proof...
Of identification.'

'Oh!
My bad.
So...
Why are those people,
Over there sitting...
Staring at me? '

'Uh...
Maybe,
It had been...
Your ability to 'moonwalk'?
The moment you came in.
Singing.
With your voice raised.
Or...
Attention you wanted,
From all of our other patrons?
Who...
If you notice,
Are also...'

'Go ahead.
Say it! '

'Rhymically inclined!
But...
Decided to dress formally?
Who knows.
This is not your average,
Chicken and rib joint.

'So,
This is one of those...
Pretentious events? '

'Sir?
Do you,
Or do you not...
Have identification?
Today,
Is the owner's birthday.
And...
Our regular customers,
Have known that for awhile! '

'Uh...I...uh...'

'It's okay.
I understand.
You left it in your car.
Right? '

'Yeah. Yeah...right! '