Today I Do Not Stand Alone Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Please,
I need no praises of platitudes from you.
I am just a basic man...
Encouraged by a mission,
That enforces me to take a stand.
And those who know my feelings are deep,
Have encouraged me to be the man I am.

I have never found my path taken,
Cleared free of debris.
I've witnessed obstacles laying upon it...
I thought impossible to free.

I am not stranger to heartache.
Or those emotions that have gone out of my control.
I've been approached by folks,
Who didn't know me at all...
But felt it okay to test me and provoke.

With faith I rid myself of doubts.
And today I am in constant prayer.
I know the truth about what love is!
And blessed I am to have those in my life...
Who are quick with me with theirs to share.

Please,
I need no praises of platitudes from you.
I am just a basic man...
Encouraged by a mission,
That enforces me to take a stand.
And those who know my feelings are deep
Have encouraged me to be the man I am.
I need no praises or platitudes,
To do what it is I am expected to do.

And if I was seeking an easy way out,
I'd be silent like the others...
With not a word you would hear,
Expressed publicly to come out of my mouth.

And on those stages I am glad to say,
Today I do not stand alone!

I am not a seeker to make speeches.
With an eye for open debate!
I desire to teach to leave lessons learned,
Some I hope are understood...
With a comprehension sacrifices have been made.