T'aint Nobody Here Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

T'aint nobody here,
Blessed with eyes, ears and mouth...
To be used simultaneously with this done,
And...
Have all the answers to appease everyone.
Without other voices heard...
To give each undivided attention to listen.
Or at least pretend to them respect is given.
Although there are some...
Who become offended and stunned,
When they are told to shut up.

'Why do you sit with your mouth closed?
I came to the meeting expecting to hear,
Your unsolicited opinions.'

~I was told earlier where to go.
And to do to myself with it to show,
I could do this to prove it.
And for whatever the reason,
Some believe me to be an exhibitionist.~

'What was it that you were told? '

~A few told me to shut up.
But that one over there staring at me,
Has dared me to do something else to myself.~

'And that's why you're sitting here quietly? '

~That's one of the reasons.
But I hate to be challenged to do something,
I've never done in public before.
So tempted I am to prove my abilities.
And I know no one else in here has that expertise.~