A Forgotten Reality

[Guest therisa]

A hand lays

Against a tall majestic Oak tree

Feeling it’s rough bark

Under their hands.

Polka dotted by

Small growth of green moss

It’s velvety smooth touch

Sharp contrast

To the bark.

Yet

If you look closer

At the Oak tree

You’ll see

Appearances are deceiving

To the observer.

For rot has spread

Like a fast growing cancer

Throughout the entire tree

Slowly killing it

Much like poverty.

Where people are dismissed

By the authorities

Like they’re Plague carriers

Spreading the disease

Throughout the entire nation

By their very presence.

Not caring

How thin the line is

Between poverty

And prosperity.

Or how destructive

To one’s soul and health

Given just enough money

To have hope

Yet not enough

To survive.

Force to beg

For the necessities of life

When all of their money

Is used to pay

Their monthly rent

Leaving mere pennies

In their pockets

Afterwards.

Having to live on a diet

Heavy in starches and sugars

And governments wonder

Why people living

Below the poverty line

Have a higher rate for diabetes.

Welcome to the modern welfare state

Where only the rich matter

Living behind their gated homes

Willfully blind to the blight

Upon the urban landscape.

[Cyndee]

Your observations are spot on Therisa.

The middle class (as it were) buffering the divide has been decimated.

Hugs -

Cindy

[Guest therisa]

Sadly, Cindy, I live in one of the 13 areas, identified as enpoverished by the city of Toronto. Foodbanks are the way of life for too many people.

therisa

[Guest miss kindheart]

Dear therisa,

<<<< hug >>>>

I think it is true that our society is in some what of a decline, but I can in vision many things that could quickly turn it all around

I try and not worry too much about such things, I came here with nothing, and figure I'll go with the same

Nice poem

vanna