Allowed To Go Wild Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

As if to protect,
An accepted identity.
With others who too,
Are linked to a familiar ancestry.

A spoiled child.
Allowed to go wild.
As if privileged to bring havoc,
To one's own neighborhood.
And thought it cute to do damage.
Yet within sight to overlook,
What this spoiled child does.
Even to grow to become a thief.
And a notorious corrupted crook.
There will still be bigots,
Peering from their windows to discriminate.
Between who should or should not,
Be walking peacefully down their streets.
To have them profiled as dangerous.
Then call the police.
Who follow them until,
The ones profiled feel they must leave.

"We have a call from a resident.
Claiming your actions are disturbing,
The entire neighborhood.
What say you about that? "

Officer?
I am the substitute mailman.
I deliver mail.
That's why I carry this sack on my back.
And the mail truck is there.
Right across the street.

"Oh.
I did not notice it.
It must be the humidity.
And the Summer heat.
If you don't mind.
What nationality are you? "

Me? I am an American.

"I know that.
That's obvious.
I mean...
You know.
What kind? "