Placate (Remain They Stay) Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Wanting to be paid to keep up.
With a sweeping away the trash,
Tossed in their own streets.
While blaming the blood,
Streaming down gutters...
Inflicted on their neighbors,
Sisters and brothers...
On others to accuse,
Of their self abusing ways.
And excused they are,
By others who say...
'They deserve a getting,
From us a serving...
Of displayed remorse and pity.'

And everyday they stay,
Seeking that pity.
As a way to remain enslaved.

Taught to adapt,
To being 'have nots'.
Portraying to be victims,
More severe...
Than their long forgotten,
Ancestors.

Allowing their minds,
Unused to rot.
And seeking to be pitied,
While craving to re-create...
Ever moment of researched,
Oppression to squeeze...
Empathy to drain it dry.

Placated.
With dedication devoted...
To handouts and sympathy.
Placated.
To roles too old but played.
In minds wasted and vacant.
Remaining that way to stay...
Safely placated.