Unshakened Faith Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

A fight to win and keep,
One's integrity.
Dignity.
And identity intact.
Gracefully.
Is a never ending,
No breath to catch process.
The challengers are everywhere.
In places and shown,
Upon unexpected faces.
Appearing to dispute,
What the see to disbelieve.
Those steps taken by anyone.
Walking in faith unshakened.

"Whew!
I've got to sit for a second.
Unbelievable it is,
Just to be who one is these days."

-Tell me about it.
So easy it had been for me,
To pick and choose...
Whatever I did to feed,
My own selfish needs.
But today?
People are thinking,
More independently.
As if I don't exist.
As if my influence,
Has been dismissed.-

"You just can not sit.
And allow that to happen.
Keep the faith.
Keep that belief in yourself.
Anyway...
I've sat too long.
I have to get up and go.
By the way,
What is your name? "

-You can call me 'Lou'.
Short for 'Lucifer'.-

"Lou?
I have learned,
It's not always what we call ourselves,
That makes the difference.
It's the faith and how we feel,
That does the trick."

-Thanks.
That's all I needed to meet.
A saved reformer.
Someone no longer,
Addicted to irresistible temptations.-

"That's funny.
Lou?
You might have missed your 'calling'.
That's some funny stuff you just said."

-You leave me crying inside.
Hysterically.'

"That's what I'm saying.
Your comments are funny as hell."

-God knows,
How much I needed that encouragement,
So very long ago.-

"Never give up!
C-ya."