Paranoia With Anxieties Comforted Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

We have become alerted,
For enemies of all kinds to attack.
And we are instructed to look for them,
In movies or TV.
And...
Peeking through the windows.
Where we find our 'facts'.

But few are taught,
To monitor their own backs.
Or bother to ask,
Neighbors about lives lived...
In their past.

We clearly have made it our priority,
To accept what we see...
If that image is tolerated.
And appears to accept paranoia,
With anxieties comforted by familiarity.