Your Status Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You may depict me,
Any way you wish.
In stereotypical fixed images.
Or in caricature with it meant,
My existence is your intention...
To demean and distort it.

But your status as a human being,
With feelings and emotions to know...
A capacity to love felt deeply,
Is no better to declare greater than mine.
Or believe you can define,
My hopes, dreams and wishes...
To thoughts that will stay reminding me,
You have a mind to keep me confined.
Within limits of your demented hatred.
To believe I live my life to experience,
This blessing bestowed upon me by God...
Looking over my shoulder,
For someone with mental issues.

You may dismiss as insignificant,
The reality of my appearance.
Or my identity to dignify.
But know this...
My journey to complete and your mission,
To have me focused on it to notice...
Will not be added to tasks I've already passed.

I have known to have been shown,
Your inability to accept and acknowledge...
Insecurities you have you wish me to pay,
At my expense on a daily basis.
And...
Had been an early lesson I digested to learn.
What you keep to practice, preach and teach,
Will be your detriment...
Thoughtlessly sought with it reached.