Grateful To Them For This Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I've earned the right to make my own decisions.
And to decide what I like and dislike.
I 'try' not to give unsolicited opinions.
And the passing of judgement,
I rarely do.
What does my critique expressed,
Satisfy or improve?

For many years,
I've known what had created my past headaches.
And when I recognize them coming,
I head the other way.
To save them a sniff or a lifting of their nose.
Where I come from...
There are many in number of those with upturned noses.

It took me a long time to understand,
Not to waste my time seeking acceptance.
Because people who perceive someone seeks,
Their acceptance...
It gives them validation to believe themselves,
Better than anyone else.
And 'if' they have created ways to isolate themselves...
To others they have given to them a gift!
And I am grateful to them for this.

'I like very much,
That effort you made.
Now...
Can you prove you can stay out of my way?
And leave,
Not take...
Those resources that are mine.'