Of Image. And Not Substance Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

We were hired to clean this house,
But where are all the supplies to do it?

'The last occupants,
Took everything.
Including the kitchen sink.
And left nothing behind,
To enable us to do the job properly.'

This will be gruesome news,
To those who value this place...
As a symbolic image they pride.
We will have to triple the budget,
Just to maintain an image.

'What about the people,
Who aren't aware of this? '

I will do the best I can,
To convey that message.
However...
They will just have to face the truth.

'I don't envy the position you are in at all.'

Many do!
But they are certainly not getting the message,
From this inside point of view.
And...
I've already told them I would need their assistance.

'But sir...
If I may say this.
They are a people of image.
And not substance.'

I am finding that out!