Added Ignorant Laughter Heard Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Not often witnessed defeated,
Is one's invisible strength.
And the power of faith.
Maintained and held,
Unshakened to break.
Or chased away,
From them to see abandoned...
And broken.

Anyone born has long discovered this.
Experiencing ugly comments made.
Taunted by their looks.
And on a daily basis,
Reminded of the differences...
Of their ethnic appearances.
Anyone born different,
Seldom seeks to be reminded of it.

Negativity and obstacles,
Intentionally placed upon their path.
With an added of ignorant laughter heard,
May hurt to hear it.
From those who have been taught to learn,
As each decade comes...
To go even faster.
How to becomes masters,
Of their own created disasters.
Is nothing new.
To the ones with faith unshakened to break.
Nor are their accusations,
Made to blame, criticize or excuse...
A doing done to themselves.
In time to discover...
Few reluctantly to have become enlightened.
Are left to feel more embarrassed.
By lessons taught,
They perceived for a lifetime...
Would keep them amused.

"Ain't ya mama on a pancake box? "

-Yep.
She sho nuff is.
And guess what? -

"What? "

-She just may whip up a batch for you.
From The Big House.
That's if she doesn't decide,
To preside over your indictment.-

"Oh?
You got jokes, huh? "

-Do you see me smiling?
Or my face beginning to break into a grin?
When mama begins to turn up the heat,
You better not be nowhere near the kitchen! -