Who Can Find The Substance Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

'You have been selected,
To represent exclusive and definitive...
Demographics.
Sooo...
Let's play,
Who can find and identify...
The substance.
Tonight we have invited,
Your community leaders...
To open this discussion.
With their interest and opinions.'

And a local reporter begins to write.
-Nothing in heard comments,
Is any sense being made.
And those questions to be asked,
Seem to have answers coming...
From aliens out in space.
Some respond as if their minds,
Have been from them erased.-

'Substance!
Seek we the substance.'

-Again these words are said.
I'm here to report.
And not pass judgement.
But the moderator,
Seems to have taken...
Some of the 'substance' already!
People are sitting with eyes fixed.
As if hypnotized.
Outside of closed windows,
Are many protesters.
But no one inside seems to realize it
Or...
Have been told to ignore them.
The moderator closes the drapes...
On their 'inner-city' faces.
As if to screen them from others.
Who appear to have become annoyed.-

'You have been selected to represent,
Exclusive and definitive...
Demographics.
However,
Substance has been missed.'

-Intentionally?
I end this report with this to wonder
If those folks outside,
Were hired to protest.
And if the substance...
Pretended to be requested,
Was ever a quest.
Or an opportunity for some 'leaders',
To dress and make impressions...
Just for the occasion? -