So Dull Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

What makes a place one stays,
So dull?
Even free events offering excitement,
Can not attract tourists...
Seen with their arms folded and looking bored.
And those hired to perform in painted clown faces,
Begin to offend the ones annoyed by them.

'The cafes?
Are exquisitedly on display presented.
But something about that does not invite.
In a museum, perhaps...
An exhibit like that might entice.
Although I must admit,
A loss of appetite.

From whose point of view,
Does any of this represent diversity?
When the tour bus missed the exit,
And we rode through the 'ghetto'?
At least this was what we were led to believe,
Many of us wanted to get off to explore.
But the tour guide assured us scenes like that,
Should be avoided and ignored.

And they were the scenes we most wanted to see.
People living their lives in a climate and atmosphere,
Eccletic and magnetic.
Free of pretentiousness with a doing of this mysteriously.
It's too bad that can not be captured.
It's too bad that kind of diversity,
Is avoided and considered an unwelcomed disease.'

What makes a place one stays,
So dull?
Even free events offering excitement,
Can not attract tourists...
Seen with their arms folded and looking bored.
And those hired to perform in painted clown faces,
Begin to offend the ones annoyed by them.

'And I understand they have spent tons of money,
To redevelop this place to enhance it.
But from whose point of view was this enhancement chosen?
And just who decided,
An excitement to invite would be better represented...
If those reflecting the residents already living here,
Could be hand picked to window dress...
A diversity preferred and liked? '

~But...
You haven't looked at our menu.
We have sea bass and fresh escargot.
Delicious crab and lobster...
Served with the best of New England Clam Chowder.~

'We just want hotdogs and fries,
With atmosphere provided.
And 'maybe' some service not presented so severe.'

~We don't offer that here! ~

'Maybe you should.
And as a recommendation...
Those corks you have taken to place them elsewhere,
Would be better if they were put back into the bottles.
If you can catch the ever changing drifting winds.'

~We all, at 'this' location...
Happen to walk this way naturally.~