These Are Symptoms Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Rather than to admit to madness,
It was left unaddressed and explosed.
Rather than prevent it in its steps,
And arresting its progress...
The symptoms were ignored,
As a decision everyone then chose.

Locally,
People were still stuck...
In a 'they' and 'them' mindset.
Having no interests in backyard events.
Not even to be curious enough,
To take a peek through the fence.
Set in their ways and making less sense.

Accepting and tolerating a decline of their lives.
Not wishing to cause trouble...
So they kept their mouths closed,
To minimize the hassle.
And made any complaints,
In muffled tones in their homes.
As if a disease had arrived to condone.

And one did!

Rather than to admit to madness,
It was left unaddressed and explosed.
Rather than prevent it in its steps,
And arresting its progress...
The symptoms were ignored,
As a decision everyone then chose.

Locally,
People were still stuck...
In a 'they' and 'them' mindset.
Having no interests in backyard events.
Not even to be curious enough,
To take a peek through the fence.
Set in their ways and making less sense.
And...
Babbling incoherently.
Pointing to each other as another would agree.

'No.No.No,
They're sick.'
These are symptoms!
~No.No.
They are.~
These are symptoms!
*No.No.
We're not! *
These are symptoms!
'They are.'
These are symptoms!
~Nooo.~

'No.No.No,
She's sick.'
These are symptoms!
~No.No.
He is.~
These are symptoms!
*No.No.
THEY are.*
These are symptoms!
'NO! '
These are symptoms!
~Nooo.~

'No.No.No,
They're sick.'
These are symptoms!
~No.No.
They are.~
These are symptoms!
*No.No.
We're not! *
These are symptoms!
'They are.'
These are symptoms!
~Nooo.~

These are symptoms!
~No.~
Symptoms,
Yes!
These are symptoms!
~No.~
Symptoms,
Yes!
These are symptoms!
~No.~
Symptoms,
Yes!
These are symptoms.
~No.~
These are symptoms.
Symptoms.
Symptoms.