Poems

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April 26, 2005

J'Accuse

Next time
A crime in your neighborhood happens
Think of me
I am hungry
I am cold
I hold no job
I am NOT lazy
There are no jobs I am qualified for
And I am not eligible for welfare
If I were
A little bit hungrier
A little bit colder
And just a touch more desperate
Think of how I might live (or die)
I look at the walls of my room
Cracked, chipping with paint
An "apartment" I can barely afford
The stove is useless
The gas was shut off long ago
The radiators are silent
There is no oil
The electricity has been wired
To some fool's store
Who doesn't notice
The extra $10 a month he pays
And on a Wednesday night
You drive your nice car home
From work
Greet your wife
As she comes in
From work
Sit at the table
Maybe thank a God
That you don't believe in
Eating steak, potatoes, salad, dessert
(Boy a hamburger would taste great right now
If only I could have one)
Comment on the weight you've put on
Burp - yes, the supper was wonderful
You sit in your favorite
Reclining chair
With a drink in your hand
Reading the newspaper
With the colored TV talking to no one
(Isn't that new cable and HBO great?)
A 22 YEAR OLD MAN WAS SHOT BY POLICE TODAY
AS HE WAS FLEEING FROM A GROCERY STORE ROBBERY
"Serves him right, doesn't it, honey?"
"Yes, dear."
"Did you hear about the Douglasses next door?
Their house was robbed last night."
(And you nod your head with disapproval)
"Isn't it a shame?"
"It must have been some kid on drugs
Or some lazy welfare bum
Without a job."
And every Friday
You pay your bills
On time
And take your wife to dinner
With the money left over
Sunday comes
You get dressed in your fancy clothes
Drive your car to church
Sit through a boring mass
Grumble as you give 50 cents in the basket
(Churches are not exempt from electrical bills)
You always know exactly what day it is
As I hang out in the timeless streets
At a 24-hr burger joint
Hoping someone will think I'm cute
And buy me a meal
Or give me some drugs to sell
So I can eat
Maybe Chris will turn a trick
(As he camps it up on the corner)
I know if he gets money
He'll buy us something to eat
If I can only keep my strength up
I might be able to mug someone
But with no food
I don't have the energy
And you stop in
To get a coffee to go
And you look at me
(worthless prostitute)
Disgusted
Ever wonder
Why I hate you so much?

Posted by BlueWolf on April 26, 2005 01:11 AM