The popcorn strand upon the tree

And sister Sally studies
long and hard –
her future in the bag.

Granny sits by
fireside, remembering
that once filled life.

Sad Johnny returns
to Hooverville – the
current veteran’s home.

And Sally struggles with
student debt – it
strangles every dream.

Granny’s knees are bent
and sore -workamper life
does not agree

with elderly bones it seems.
Student debt hangs
like an albatross

around the neck
and unpaid rent
the current state of

humanity in this land.
Oh, to be the tundra swan
just passing through –

with eerie call
a signature upon
our souls it speaks,

of finding food –
what really matters
and a joke or two.

But some jokes just
aren’t funny, the struggling
of the poor

nothing but a harbinger
for all of us –
the deplorable conquers
the core.

3/18/2018