Sweetened Realities Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

So expensive they can be.
Realities to sweeten.
With them to keep the children,
Away from a truth.
Substance free.
And shielded until they find themselves,
Uncovering to become attracted...
To a truth from their lives,
That had been purposely subtracted.
To then verbally and physically,
Attack those who lied to them.
Done their entire lives.
To overdose on opioids.
And anything that squeezes truth,
Out of their poisoned minds.
From feeling an emptiness,
Materialism to worship...
Fulfillment to get and sold upon it.
Never were with sweetened realities,
Something felt there to achieve.
And knowing this to believe,
Life to live becomes a wasted blessing.