Determined To Be Me Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

I do the best I can...
To be a better man than I am!
I can understand,
Why you don't acknowledge me.
I am not looking for your attention...
Nor your sympathy.
I am one who doesn't have that need!

When I greet you with a smile,
I don't expect one returned.
I've watched you over time and found...
You carry hatred like it is earned.

That crap about turning the other cheek,
Is not my style at all!
I've seen the acts of so called christians...
And there are many lessons,
From 'those' hypocrites I have learned.

I am not about to carry a banner...
To make a statement of my stance!
If I decide to wear pants,
Or a dress with heels...
Believe me when I say,
Your opinions about me
And who and what I am...
Doesn't change the way I feel!

In fact my experiences...
Of 'this' man that I am,
Took me time to realize...
Ignoring people like you,
Strengthened my stand!
And clarified my stance.

So forget about your rhetoric.
You are neither the cause,
Or the effect of my plan!
I am determined to be me!
With or without an approval from you,
That sees and/or agrees!

My mission here on this Earth...
From my birth,
Has always been to please God.
And He knows my value,
And appreciates my worth!