Ambitions To Pursue Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

No one,
Will be given the right...
To assume what my life to live,
Had been like...
When living in the projects.
Or how it was to be depicted,
Weird and different...
Because of my ambitions,
To pursue.

No one has to tell me,
From their imaginative view...
What struggling through poverty
To know it and accept,
Like many who did...
But prayed from it,
Better lives to get.

No one has to tell me,
What it takes to tolerate...
Discrimination.
Or and outlet to escape,
Obstacles of ignorance...
Placed to find implanted,
By an assortment of people...
Fed to feed on limited minds.
Defined,
By false impressions made...
To evaluate others.
At the detriment of themselves.

No one has to tell me,
How to react to mental traps...
Hoping to catch me,
Emotionally unprepared...
By those who assume,
I am not aware...
Of my own experiences.
And those who seem always there
Wishing to discourage,
Every effort I make to step...
To critique and judge,
Whatever it is I attempt...
With it done to endeavor.

No one,
Will be given that right,
To 'assume' or believe...
My life to live,
Has been embellished to receive
Attention I have sought.
Nor did I seek it.
However...
I must admit,
If my ambitions...
Have been noticed to get,
Attention and recognition...
It took more than wanting it.
Because what I have done to do,
And produced...
Is initiative, motivation,
And a desire to inspire others.