Diane Perna Poet Free verse

Just Cause

For no just cause, my quiet nature has been wrongly interpreted in
all sectors of life.  As early as elementary school, teachers, kids
and peers mocked at my painful shyness, chipping away at my soul.

As a shy personality, it is often perceived as something deficient 
and as a sign of weakness.  The opposite is true as we take our time
to better assess situations.

Another erroneous belief about the quiet and reserved is that they
lack self-esteem and self-confidence but facts show as introverts we
are highly sensitive, bright and gifted people.

Discrimination against the meek and humble can lead to prejudice
causing work reviews to have an unsupported result of negative 
feedback based on personality rather than work. 

Though my resume and reference letters, details extensive 
experience as a legal secretary and an asset to any law firm, 
personnel thought I got the job for appearance rather than skill set. 

In one firm, I was fired because my superior said she didn’t like my 
personality.   I quietly said, “I don’t speak so how could you know me?”  
She irately replied: “I don’t like your mannerisms.”

In actuality, my quiet demeanor and exterior unjustly
characterized me.  As all these outward inferences never let
anyone know the slightest bit about me.

Today, I have just cause to be wary of other people’s perverse
ideas and ill-conceived standards. As they continue to hold 
me in unqualified contempt.

Because of this discrimination for so many decades due to my 
gentleness and humbleness, it is my contention that society
has handed me down a life sentence of injustice and bias.

Although, I remain imprisoned by opinions of hypocrites, 
I trust that God will show His merciful exoneration towards 
me as I’ve shown mercy to all who persecuted me.

Thus, I remain a hopeless victim, from those who sought to 
harm me for No Just Cause!

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Robert Sidwell November 10, 2025 at 10:04 AM One shouldn’t mistake quietness for weakness. Excellently written and well expressed piece.

Mickey Grubb November 4, 2025 at 1:44 PM Diane, this is such a powerful and heartfelt piece. You’ve given voice to the pain and dignity of being misunderstood, and your quiet strength shines through every line. I admire how you turned personal injustice into a poetic stand for truth and mercy. It’s raw, brave, and deeply moving. Some people write poems, but you have created “poetry”.