Opinions Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You want honesty.
But frightened by truth.
You want leadership to guide you.
But follow behind those you pick,
Into pits of sorrow.
While listening to their divisive nonsense.

You want a quality of life,
With less conflict shown.
You want others expressing respect.
You want laughter and joy,
Seen from your doorsteps.
You want smiles not frowns around all day.
Yet...
Nothing nice to say about anyone from you,
Can your neighbor remember.
And they have lived near you for decades.

You want honesty.
But frightened by truth.
You want leadership to guide you.
But follow behind those you pick,
Into pits of sorrow.
While listening to their divisive nonsense.

Well...
My opinion is my own.
Like those you have yourself.
However,
It seems to me...
You only allow yourself to follow and agree,
With those who speak,
Of conflict, confusion and division.
And you accept this to believe.
While...
Unity, truth and honesty you fear.
Because you disbelieve,
The possibility of this.
As you participate to validate,
In the making of B.S.
Since those you admire,
Wish you and others they fool to trick,
Successfully get more involved
In the spreading of their wickedness.
And you,
Like many...
Feel better about yourselves,
If you are told then sold to believe...
You are being threatened,
By those pretending they like you.
But actually envious,
Of your dysfunctional outlook.
And way of life.

"How dare you.
How dare you speak to me like that? "

Hey...
I did say I have my opinions.
But those opinions are not mine.
They belong to your neighbors.
Church members.
And the minister who preaches there.
I don't know you.
I'm trying to get a 'feel',
About what kind of neighborhood this is.
Before I decide to move in.

"May I make a suggestion? "

Sure.
Of course.

"Don't.
And don't let first impressions fool you.
What you may hear folks say about others,
Is probably what they don't want known...
About themselves."