The Accepted Effect Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Suddenly have the facts of life arrived.
With a suddenness that widens,
Opened eyes to recognize denial.
Suddenly have beliefs to keep,
Become the beast?
To keep you on your knees,
And not stand on your own two feet.

Shock can leave a horrible taste to hate.
But sometimes it takes shock,
To unlock from those shackles.
Shock can leave somebody in a mental state,
But...
Sometimes it takes shock,
To know what is and not.
And hauling cotton should be now forgotten.

Days to live to live again will not come to pass.
Unstrap from backs whatever happened then.
And leave those tasks,
With others who want them to last
Get off your knees and use your mind as a tool.
Get off your knees and stop portraying the fool,
And who do you wish this to prove it to do...
For too long to prolong,
The accepted effect.

Get off your knees and use your mind as a tool.
Get off your knees and stop portraying the fool,
And who do you wish this to prove it to do...
For too long to prolong,
The accepted effect.

Brothers.
Sisters.
And those most affected by oppressors.
Get off your knees and use your mind as a tool.
Get off your knees and stop portraying the fool,
And who do you wish this to prove it to do...
For too long to prolong,
The accepted effect.