Ghosts Of Treasures Mythed Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Most seem stunned.
And observed to be running away.
From that yellow brick road.
Once crowded by those,
Chasing ghosts of treasures mythed.
That has left some stung.
Bandaged from head to toe.
Abandoning images.
Depicting they would one day find,
Emeralds surrounded by pots of gold.
While attempting to survive on lies.
Believed and sold to them told.

More seem to have begun,
Listening to give undivided attention.
To the elders.
With a willingness to consider,
Warnings not to be so quick.
To what appears easy to get.
If...
They continue to follow,
Those slick and impressively dressed.
Yet carrying briefcases,
Loaded with tricks.
Although poison are the contents.
Wrapped as if sweetened lollipop sticks.

To later too late to discover like others,
The offering to take and lick...
Had been conflicts to market.
And the high price of division.
Deceivers leave with profits to pocket.
With a no stopping of it.
To know their tasks to addict,
The ones unconscious of this...
Feeling threatened their promised,
Yet unseen entitlements...
Will no longer exist.
If diversity among them,
Is allowed to permit.

And the elders who sit insist,
To say repeatedly to the ones...
Returning back from disappointments.
Seeking to overcome,
From being stung and deceived.
"If the treasure is not there,
Confirmed to see before you leave.
Chasing ghosts of treasures mythed,
Will only get you to receive...
Relationships broken.
Identities to lose.
And integrities to have had,
Impossible to fix."

-But...
How is it,
You old folks seem to know this? -

"Attempting to avoid,
Experiencing embarrassment.
And a wealth of stupidity.
To ultimately become wise.
By admitting,
Ignorance to keep it...
Seldom opens doors,
For knowledge to obtain."

-Oh!
So...
What are you saying? -

"Don't make it obvious,
You can be used like a fool.
And trained like a dog.
To bark at anyone on command.
Especially...
If you have no clue,
What's in it for you.
Don't leap before all the evidence,
Has been revealed.
Scrutinized.
And meets, with certainty...
Your approval to be given.
First!
And do this,
Without appearing...
Neither eager nor thirsty! "