The Cost That Is Being Paid Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Should we...
Become un-numbed,
From our active and kept delusions?
To find a need for more reason,
Why the feeding on deceptions...
Causing anguish and sorrow,
Everywhere...
Is not televised or fiction.
But today reality.

Should we...
Begin to re-evaluate,
Ourselves and what is valued...
With a stopping to procrastinated,
The cost that is being paid...
To remain tolerating,
A quality of life long in decay.
In need of mending without delay.
And people off their pleading knees,
Believing what they've created...
Can be prayed away.

Should we...
Continue to charade,
We've been shocked by daily events.
No longer isolated,
By fences or communities...
With hired security guards at the gates.
When people have found themselves,
With less freedom than those...
Locked behind bars and protected in prison cells.
And getting exercise and free cable.
Who shopping for weapons,
Can say they live so well?

Should we...
Begin to re-evaluate,
Our selves and what's valued...
With a stopping to procrastinated,
The cost that is being paid...
To remain tolerating,
An ignorance that has left us trapped...
By an insanity that escalates.
And then not to know...
If we are the willing victims,
Unable to detect someone mentally ill.
When our doors are closed and locked.
If anyone who might reside near us or inside,
Is not planning to commit mass murder.

'Honey?
It is four in the morning.
Where are you going looking like that? '

~I couldn't sleep.
I think I'll just go for a walk.~

'Well...
You never know what you will find to confront.
Be safe.'

~I'll de-activate the alarm.
So as not to disturb you.~

'And I'll leave the window open.
Just in case it is easier for you to get in.'

~I hadn't thought of that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That will make it even better.~