Crumbling Inside Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Inside crumbling.
From an irreversible storm.
Outside.
And distant.
From a reality incapable,
To face the truth of it.
Decaying an existence,
Of delusions kept...
Ripping apart,
Its...
Manufactured,
Quilted seams.

The United States,
Of diverse yet separate minds.
Seems to be more in battle,
To find reason and rhyme...
With ancient racist beliefs.
Torn and tormented,
Between an image symbolized.
Yet...
Reveals America to be,
Suffering.
From a drowning,
Of hypocrisy.
Fictioned, bought and sold.

Not an urban street is seen,
Manicured.
And trimmed in gold.
Nowhere are protesters,
Viewed the World over.
Happily skipping.
Or singing the latest,
Pop or hip-hop songs.

'What on EARTH,
Can be wrong? '

Underneath that perception,
Of a golden destination.
Is a glossing over,
A brutality unwarranted.
Inflicted upon,
Those of ethnic diversity.
And...
Anyone slipping into poverty.
Be they black, brown or white.
Hungry and homeless.
Not invited to sit,
Near those wealthy or elite.
Although the poor pay taxes.
To support,
Their feasting fed to feed...
Selfish appetites.
Affording them to serve...
Conflict, division.
And more anguish increased.
Just to keep themselves,
Untouchable.
And...
As far away from reality.
For as long as deception,
Is approved and allowed!