Praying For You Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Words and actions taken,
Are on the opposite side...
Of a fence.
Those screaming and yelling,
Their lungs out of breath.
Have proven less time they've spent,
Examining to improve...
In solving their own,
Predicaments to ignore them.

When this begins to happen,
To go on for decades...
Seeking attention.
Without thinking to use common sense.
Words heard increasingly heated,
Few not more are left unconvinced...
That tools given are to be used for progress.
Although difficult it may be,
When those known to be oppressors,
Become jealous with envy and deceive.

So...
The ones with raised voices,
Screaming to yell in protest to be heard.
On the opposite side of a fence,
Are doing their best to attempt to convince...
Those quick to take action,
Do this without listening.
That could prevent,
Their own detriment as well.

"Uh...
We are facing,
A most unique dilemma."

-What dilemma?
What 'NOW' could possibly be that serious? -

"Well...
If we refuse to listen,
That ruins the quality of life...
For everyone including us.
And if we do listen,
With undivided attention given...
We will have to give up,
Our treasured pretensions."

-Oh GOD!
You are right.
No one has given that a thought.-

"So...
What should we do? "

-Oh, my goodness.
Give me a second.
Let me think.
Return back to the fence.
And begin to sing 'Kumbiyah'.
'Lift Every Voice and Sing'.
Or 'We Shall Overcome'.
Then I will make a public announcement,
About race relations on 'Juneteenth'! -

"Boss?
This is not the time,
For jokes to make to solicit votes.
These folks are serious.
I've never seen anything like this before.
Your most loyal devotees are on their knees."

-WHAT? ? ?
On their knees?
Why? -

"Everyone is praying."

-PRAYING?
For what? -

"For YOU! "