What Else Can You Tell Me Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Too many have been 'programmed',
To base their unsolicited opinions...
On others and how they 'seem' to be,
With quick assessments...
Done swiftly to expedite a validation.

Scan they do someone's physical appearance...
Looks, choice of dress, texture of hair,
And how it is worn to wear.
Manner of speaking and word usage.
And where they are seen,
To be minding their own business.
As if a book had been given to them,
And every detail in it is known...
Without it being opened to 'skim' through the contents.

There are those who 'mysteriously' know,
What someone else thinks, feels...
And even the depth of their unspoken emotions.
To have not experienced a second, minute or a moment spent,
Of that person's life to have anything said to make any sense.
With a doing then to spread gossip amongst themselves,
Involving family members, friends or anyone else listening to them...
Slandering another's character just on a whim.
Without knowing a shred of truth or what it is they have done to do.

'Hi.
I am quite surprised to see you.
You're not sick or appear to be.
How have you been?
How was your recovery? '

~Well...
Hello to you too.
And...uh...huh?
What else can you tell me about myself?
Especially those FACTS,
I have yet to hear and spoken behind my back.
Hold on...
I have a pen and pad somewhere.
Just a sec.
Okay...go ahead.
And please keep it exciting.~