They Remember Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

What makes you say you are more qualified,
To represent the needs of the people.
With a connected understanding,
That makes them unquestion your experiences...
Free to erase from them any doubt,
About your commitment.

'Well...
All of those you now hear cheering me on,
Behind us?
Every one of them has had opportunity,
To drag me through the coals.
Objecting to my outspoken comments,
Regarding the decline of their quality of life.

And that was a few years ago,
When they were quick to label...
Those opposing,
As crazy mixed up nonconformist maverick.

And today?
Not only have their minds changed...
Reality from them is no longer distant.
Believe themselves too,
To be totally out of their minds.
And they remember,
Who it was unafraid to tell them that!

You can say,
They have found their own way...
And without me,
To see themselves...
More looney than I can possibly be.
And they have faith,
I will not abandon them.