If It Rained On My Parade Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If it rained on my parade.
There would be others,
To come my way.
And if not?
Standing on the sidelines,
I have done many times.
And finding to do so.
Involves less stress.
My peace of mind has become my essence.

Yet.
Being able to critique,
What I know takes work and sweat to deliver.
I have learned not so quick to do.

I too have sat on shoulders as a kid,
And wondered why someone who paraded.
Would also be shedding tears.
Held inside of them that did not appear.

Today.
I know the reason why!
When a parading starts.
Few observing care who from the inside cries.
Or tries to hide what it takes to parade.