Attractive Negativity Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Those who have grown experiencing,
Getting older.
And now the elders,
In their youthful appearing communities.
Will often be heard to admit,
Wishing more people could resist...
Being captivated with a devoted commitment,
To an attractive negativity.
And participating as if addicted,
To ongoing division and conflicts.
Permitted to feed their unconscious minds.

Few are the places anyone can go.
Without observing someone start,
A petty performance of an argument.
As if this to do,
Is the latest fad and fashionable.
Even in the most prestigious of sacred places.
There seems no escaping the craze this creates.

And no one these days,
Would bat an eyelash or have an eyebrow raised.
Be shocked or express surprise.
If attending someone's funeral,
To witness the one...
Laying quietly in a casket.
Suddenly rise to say,
"You know...
None of you have shown me respect.
Not alive nor in my death.
Is it too much to ask,
For a little of that to give me now?
Please!
I can't even rest in peace."

-Excuse me.
Mister Dead Person.
Would you happen to know,
Who has brought what to your repast? -

"Fried chicken.
Potato salad.
Macaroni and cheese.
Collard greens, cornbread.
Pound cake and sweet potato pie.

Now...
Can we get on with this.
Without most of you laughing and talking,
Over announcements being made...
By visiting relatives and friends.
I can not hear one word they are saying.
And I'm laying right here.
Doing the best I can to listen.

You folks have gotten on my last nerve.

Forgive me pastor.
I just could not lay here,
Listening to folks...
Lieing.
And talking about stuff that ain't true! "