The Revealing Of This Catharsis Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I wouldn't and don't advise anyone,
To underestimate me and/or my abilities.
Or take the love I am capable to easily express,
As a sign of not being committed...
To a strength within me I possess.
Since weakness is not my 'thing' to address.

No one knows of those obstacles,
I have confronted to remove.
Or the very few choices I have had to choose,
When as a child living in the projects.
And witnessing to endure all kinds of abuse.

Learning to be tough,
Because other kids thought of me as fluff stuff...
With a look that was shy and timid,
Kept me tested and prepared to defend myself.

I've been pushed down flights of concrete stairs.
And off of incinerator walls,
Where children like myself dared to play.
'After' I took out the trash to dump it,
Unafraid of the rats and roaches that stayed.

I jumped rope with the girls!
And climbed trees with the boys!
My daddy taught me how to box.
And my mother enjoyed watching me play baseball.
No one could put in a slot because I thought I had it all.

But then I got bored with those experiences.
And at the age of 18 I was convinced,
To volunteer and join the military...
With a purpose to protect and defend,
Family, friends and a country with my life given.

Then I discovered my trainers had other plans for me.
I became one of few selected in the AirForce,
To teach other young airmen...
How to maintain quality control with the issuing of supplies,
With 'zero' defects in kept inventories.
And they had this belief this exercise,
Would advance me mentally.

And...
I can not say it hasn't!
Since my military experience has increased,
My ability to reminisce...
With an assistance in the revealing,
Of this catharsis.

I wouldn't and don't advise anyone,
To underestimate me and/or my abilities.
Or take the love I am capable to easily express,
As a sign of not being committed...
To a strength within me I possess.
Since weakness is not my 'thing' to address.