Raised Voices Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

More annoying become those,
With their raised voices.
After decades of choosing a choice,
Of remaining silent in compliance...
And believing themselves immune and unaffected,
By disparities dispensed...
Upon others suffering through,
A marketing of cheap to get decadence.

Now suddenly awakening,
As if chased by a nightmare.
Those with their raised voices are found,
Pounding the pavement.
All around and even the smallest of towns.
Protesting against,
The diminishing of their quality of life.
Once okay to observe in urban cities.
But not to expect with their unconcern to get,
Stepped upon.
Disregarded.
And made to accept an indifference to them shown.
Or considered to be ignorant,
If they spoke about inequities.
To be disenfranchised from opportunities.
Those rich and wealthy deceived to keep,
For themselves exclusively.

Now suddenly as if chased by a nightmare,
Those awakening to their own suburban despairs...
Have begun to realize their lives,
Have been attributed to debts and pretensions kept.
In a majority equally shared by the 'minorities'.
But their noses once to raise high,
Have been lowered to smell...
The exorbitant price,
They have paid to keep themselves deceived.
Done to do to always blame and accuse,
The ones who have less...
To use and make excuses for themselves.

Now...
Their voices are raised.
Annoying each other.
In heated debates seeking escapes.
From their own mistakes to make.
Knowing how foolish it would be,
To accuse those homeless and hungry...
For living their lives,
Publicly and doing this purposely...
To display a selfishness observed.
With this intended to be envied!
Yet fearing the threat of change.