Which Life Do You Live? Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Most people are so unaccustomed to speak the truth.
For many of them...
This is all they know.
A tradition of sorts.
Passed through the family,
As common as gas is passed.
With each scent identified by the doer.

~Women 'poot' they do not fart! ~

Well...
I knew a few women who 'stank'!
And it didn't matter who 'pooted' or farted.
Or if that even made the difference.
For those of them who are like that!

~Focus.
Stay focused, please.~

And,
If they began to become forthright and honest...
Most people would lose their friends.
Jeopardizing relationships of all kinds.
And many of them would end.

~Like marriages?
Perhaps? ~

While others would lose complete identities.
Since those lives lived have been totally prefabricated.

~Why are you staring at me?
Which life do you live? ~

My own!
And without references.
Preferences, yes!
But...
Without references!

~Why are you staring at me? ~

'Cause you all up in my 'grill'
Like you belong in it!