Fast Changing Stages Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Fast to change are the stages.
Affording no one these days,
To pay less attention.
With more self serving thoughtlessness.
Or maintaining an indifference.
Expressing unconcern.
Without taking an interest.
Has for many been too late,
For basic lessons to have learned.

Fast changing stages.
From one to another.
To go ignored,
By those choosing other druthers.
Hesitating to take,
Necessary steps made to keep up their pace.
Will often discover,
That attention wished to get...
Under full spotlight on them has dimmed.
If still there to even exist.

"Whew!
I'm here.
Uh...
Mister Maintenance Person.
With the helmet on and holding an ax.
Where is the audience?
I've come prepared and ready.
To perform my act."

-Either you are much too late.
Or decades too early.
This place will soon be torn down.
Not even considered for renovation.
However...
I'm here.
Let me see what you've got.
Who knows?
Maybe the demolition crew,
Will give you a few minutes.
I am not authorized to do.-

Fast to change,
Are the stages of life these days.
Affording no one to pay less attention.
With more self serving thoughtlessness.
To then believe their time to waste.
In premeditated hesitation.
Will give them a right,
Whenever they decide...
That spotlight to be wished,
Awaits their act...
To perform and receive thunderous applause!

-Sorry to interrupt your dramatic emoting.
Do you mind if I make a suggestion? -

"No. Not at all.
Go right ahead."

-Are your tears real?
I'm not feeling it.
Maybe if I held my flashlight,
Closer on you...
I can see much clearer,
What it is you are doing.
To get me to feel,
Whatever it is you are attempting to prove.-