The Thrill Is Gone Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Few proven to be competent.
With leadership qualities.
Will rush to volunteer.
Sacrificing to give up,
Their quiet unassuming lives.
For a lifetime of headaches.
Attempting to settle quarrels,
Between those with egos.
And perceived status obtained.
To flaunt around.
Like untouchable 'Peacocks'!

Unless...
They had been convinced,
Their leadership qualities.
And competence.
Would be recognized,
By those less wise.
And respect given to them,
They can expect overflowing.

'What has happened?
We selected the best,
To represent the interests...
Of all the people.
Why is this one strapped,
Into a straitjacket?
And ushered out babbling.
As if they had lost their mind? '

-How many times,
Do I have to remind you?
Leaders picked,
For their qualities.
Abilities and competence.
Are, at the least,
The rarest of specimens.

And...
Are not these days,
Going to survive...
Attempting to use,
Common sense.
With truth and reality,
As a way to bring peace...
Between people who love,
Driving someone else crazy.
Done to do,
Until that mission...
For them,
Has been accomplished.
To enjoy every moment of it.-

'Would you stop saying that!
No one will accept to believe,
Such nonsense.
This is America.
You know...
The United States.'

-You may have a point!
I have noticed,
The recent candidates...
We recommended,
For their leadership abilities.
Began to act,
As if...
They were out of their minds.
As if...
Prepared,
To disqualify themselves.
What sense does that make? -

'From your...
Or my point of view? '

-Stop that.
Everyone knows,
All of our chosen leaders...
From the past,
Have been selected and picked.
For their competence.-

'And...
In the past 4 years.
Where were we?
Under hypnosis? '

-Will you stop that!
Everyone now knows,
We were going through...
A period,
Of entertaining possibilities!
With a hope,
Those kinds of catastrophes...
Come to close to ruining,
All of humanity.-

'Well...
No one can say,
We are not a nation...
Thrilled to experience,
Every temptation there is! '

-But...
What about the danger of it? -

'We are Americans!
If there is no danger,
The thrill is gone.'

-That's what the great,
B.B. King sang about! -

'B.B.?
B.B. King of what? '