To See It To Experience It For Yourself Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You are not who I expected at all.

'I am not surprised by that.
Who did you expect? '
And how reliable are your sources? '

Apparently not reliable at all.
I was told what I could expect.
But so far you are beyond my expectations.

'Where did you get your information from? '

Those who said they knew you best.

'I see.
And guess where they got 'their' information from? '

Those who claimed to have known you better.

'Well...
I am glad we both agreed to meet.
Because I don't rely on second hand information.
And if I had not introduced myself,
You'd be still looking for someone...
That wasn't me for you to recognize.
People here have a tendency to give their opinions,
Based upon what they hear and not what they know.'

I see.

'That's the only way to know life.
To see it to experience it for yourself.
There is nothing like appreciating,
A mind that has been expanded.
Many only come to know and experience life,
Through gossip and hearsay.
Only to limit the understanding,
Of what they believe to have known.
To end up scratching their heads in confusion.'

I was told you were quiet.

'And I thank God I wasn't told you were delicious.
I want to discover that for myself.
And I'm not into sharing my deliciousness with others.
Are you? '