'Big American Boo Boo' Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

The article was written,
'Big American Boo Boo'.
Several years ago,
It appeared in a local newspaper.
And those who read it...
Dismissed this as a caper,
Of an author who refused...
To embrace the cheering of a war,
Sought and fought...
That would eventually disgrace.
And create wounds that soared.

Since then,
Jobs have been outsourced.
Communities of people displaced.
Unemployment continues to rise.
And embarrassing faces,
Show the affects of tears traced.

Institutions are folding,
Slipping as if to dip in quicksand.
Leadership is questioned.
And accountability absent...
With no one responsible,
Choosing to take a public stand.

An economy taken for granted,
Now on the brink of no return.
Signs scribble high in neon lights...
'Lessons Taught One Day Will Be Learned'

But no one then showed a bit of concern.
Except those with vision...
Who had their characters assassinated.
By those who now have had their egos burned.

The article was written,
'Big American Boo Boo'.
Several years ago.
And it was removed from the internet.
By those with influence...
Who perceived it expressed,
An unpatrioticness.
By a maverick professed.

And yet these same folks,
Who then refused to accept.
Have lost not only their dignity...
But also their self respect.

Finding their lives lived now in humility.
And in retrospective...
In much regret!
And yet their denials,
Are with them kept.