The Only Thing That Concerns Me Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Don't you think it a bit unusual,
To be a grown man...
Divorced and living alone?
Paying your own way unsubsidized?
And living entirely on a fixed income.
And 'pretending' to be happy.
Without masquerade or disguise?
And...
Getting things done by yourself?
Just you and no one else.
I don't mean to pry...
But don't you think this is kinda weird?
How you manage to live your life!

'Well...
Honestly? Yes, I do Mrs. Smith.
Especially since the majority of my neighbors,
Are single women raising children.
From different fathers who have become distanced.

And these same women gossip about the flaws,
And blemishes of weak men.
I didn't want to mention this...
But there are at least four working women,
Living nearby in one household.
Raising two young unruly boys...
Like you and your grown daughters do.

So yes...
Mrs. smith I do find my situation most unusual.
I do.
Very strange in this environment!
But...
The only thing that concerns me,
Is the normalcy your grandsons believe...
The lifestyle you feed them is!
And they think of me as the 'freak'!
And I know that is with your encouragement! '