A Pot To Piss In Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

There are some people so proud,
Of their heritage and race...
Regardless where they live.
What they have or have not.
And whether they've got,
A penny in their pocket.
Or a pot to piss in.

'REALLY?
You have to be kidding?
You've actually seen people,
Walking around with pride like that?
Sure of themselves AND had identity?
Barely living in deplorable...
And such dire conditions,
That the worse of all barrios...
Would be an upgrade?
I find that hard to believe.'

And listen to this...
They claim to enjoy it.
Keeps them grounded.

'I could not live,
Without impressing somebody.
I have to flaunt something that says
'Look at me. I am SOMEBODY.''

Why?
Having things makes you feel,
Better about who you are?

'Of course.
Who doesn't believe that?
Before my eyes clear in the morning,
I'm reaching for my Rolex.'

What about your identity,
Heritage and culture to pride?

'You have got to be joking?
You doing crack?
Do you know how outdated,
That kind of thinking is today? '

Where are you goin'?

'Sssshhh! Lower your voice.
I'm going to walk across the street.
Let's pretend,
We don't know each other.
I can't believe,
You would associate...
With those kinds of people.'

I didn't say I associated with them.

'You didn't have to.
There was 'something' in your,
Conversation...
That praised and dignified them.
More than I care to have heard.
And besides,
What would life be...
If most of us ended,
Our valued pretensions?
No answer! ?
And no more of my time will I waste,
Listening about your ridiculous...
Visions!