We Need To Stop This! Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Hmmm...
It's been nearly 500yrs ago,
Heard to view...
With words spoken to say:
"This should not be happening.
We need to stop this! "

And...
Over 400yrs ago,
More were heard with words to say:
"We need to stop this!
This should not be happening."

300 and more years to pass.
People gathered at auction blocks.
Some came to claim their concern.
Others began to bid.
Silently to giggle or openly laugh.
"You know...
This should not be happening.
We need to stop,
This humiliation done.
To do as if we are unconscious of it."

200yrs with little progress made.
Some sipping to pour tea.
From the safety of their comfort zones.
Will say to themselves,
Yet not publicly.
"This should be stopped.
The happening of it,
Is unbelievable. Isn't it? "

Less than 100yrs ago.
Centuries after people were freed.
And thought to believe,
From their anguish and suffering...
To leave behind and let go.
Sheet wearing thugs,
Rode upon horses carrying torches.
Burning down towns and progress made.
Done to do and meant...
To frighten the people and keep them,
Enslaved.
And the grieving words of the people,
Were heard loudly in agony to say...
"This should not be happening to us.
We need to stop this! "

It has been just a few decades to pass.
And the minds of the people,
Had been taught to disrespect themselves.
Even to demean each other.
With wishes to prevent,
Hints of progress or signs of them to last.
And they laugh at the efforts,
Of those with endeavors attempting to do.
Proving to have been taught,
How to undo...
What would be of benefit to them.
To claim and place blame on others to say:
"We need to stop this.
This should not be happening! "
Then to protest.
If attention to them,
Is not urgently given.
With a wanting to get this,
Without self examining.
Or a fear of it that reveals the truth.
Yet rely they do,
On their delusions to maintain them.
Free to get and effortless.