The Difference Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I can have wisdom AND knowledge,
With proof to show I do.
And be willing to volunteer my time away,
To those disrespecting I had valuable information,
That could benefit their lives.
And not ask from them a single dime.

I could be that person with no knowledge at all.
Had no wisdom to speak of and no time to volunteer.
But...
If I had made a name for myself,
And made 'claims' of my abilities.
With my name bright up in lights for all to see them flash,
People would flock to pay to see me.
And the doing of that may not be beneficial to them,
A bit.
But just to say they witnessed it.

The difference?
Someone who makes claims,
And has established a name...
With no wisdom to share proving knowledge is there,
Would be more respected to those not receiving benefit,
Than the one having what they need.

Why?
People have become more impressed,
By those addressing pretentions.
Than they are receiving opportunities,
Handed to them for free to meet their needs...
By those who do not impress them with image.

And those with image they seek to pay huge sums,
To get nothing for them done.