What Has Been Denied Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

One of the main reasons,
People don't know who they are...
Or can respect others to accept,
Is their approach to life.
And a valued place on false pretensions.

People have been made to believe,
And are convinced...
That reality is to be pretended,
And the more pretentious they are...
The more they reflect a 'version' of reality.
Blindly accepted.

And...
Those who are themselves,
And have lived reality...
From an experiencing of it,
Are perceived as being phony.
Although everything they have done...
Is based upon truth as it is,
And have attempted to deliver it.
But are criticized for being nonconformists.

One of the main reasons,
People don't know who they are...
Or can respect others to accept,
Is their approach to life.

One is taught how to live,
And how to act.
What beliefs to accept,
From those created...
And followed 'faithfully'.

And those who live not accepting,
Those beliefs to follow 'faithfully'...
Seem to live freer lives,
Without having lies to follow.

'Why is there so much conflict in the world.
Why are so many people unhappy? '

That's a good question.
And they are the ones who follow,
Taught beliefs.
Without seeking to live life,
To discover it on their own.
They follow and protest yet accept.

'But,
How can you say that? '

I've learned to stand back,
And observe that which has been denied.
My eyes have been open most of my life,
To see things as they are.
Not what I wish them to be.
With eyes open wide.

And apparently my 'version' has offered me,
A more peaceful co-existence.
And that for me is not phony at all.
I only have one face that I've shown.
Have you ever seen me wearing a mask?
To appease others doing it?

'No.'

You should take yours off.
You'll see exactly what I mean.
When you begin to experience life,
So many become offended.