In Those Old Days Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You may be tough.
But your approach to solicit,
My empathy and pity...
Could have been easier to get,
Without your demanding it.
But I do understand,
The competition you're up against.
And if I may make a suggestion...
You should put that gun away.
Since my first reaction,
Is not empathy with pity for you at all.

'It isn't real.'

Which?
The gun?
Your wish for empathy and pity?
Or my fear?

'Why can't you just co-operate,
And give me what I want? '

Trust me.
I'm going to give you exactly what you need.
Now that I know that gun isn't real.

'The gun IS real.
My need for empathy and pity isn't.
Thank you.
All I wanted was a decent conversation.
You were the only one I spotted,
Not texting or using a cellphone.
You have no idea how difficult it is for me,
To communicate like I did in the old days.'

So you are using a gun to do it?

'Hey...
What can I say.
I'm open for your suggestions.'

Good.
Give me the gun.
And I'll show you what I would have done.

'What are you going to do? '

Communicate my feelings,
Like I use to do in those old days.
And trust me...
You will know immediately,
Just what my feelings are.