In The Beginning Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

In the beginning...
Life to adventure,
Is without fear to explore.
That teaching starts,
Behind closed doors.

And in the beginning...
Sweet treats are sought to seek.
With visions of them seen dancing,
On huge movie screens.
And captivating more,
Within those comforting zones.
Hypnotized by 'hi-def' TV.

It is in the beginning,
In our homes we witness...
Abusive treatment and warning threats.
Physically and mentally.
With no one to protest.
Or authorized to make an arrest.

Yet...
In the beginning many are taught,
How evil others are.
And what they've done to do.
Heard to hear.
Gossipers whisper.
But nowhere near to witness.

Leaving in the beginning,
A life blessed to receive...
Excited to adventure and explore.
Thought to be,
A dangerous risk to chance.
And this is before,
One learns to crawl.
Stand and walk tall.

Yet made afraid to open a door.
Accept...

For those dressed as monsters,
At Halloween.
Someone claiming,
To be...
Delivering a Thanksgiving meal.
Exclusively.
And especially...
Santa Claus with Rudolph the reindeer.
Or anyone appearing,
Drunk as a skunk on New Year's Eve.