Mono-
chromed skies tie
summer’s bedraggled
kitestrings to the end of
a brief September.
Below on the corner,
yet another dark-
dressed unkempt
with cardboard
calling card:
HUNGRY.
Gooseflesh takes
more heat to burn.
Calories, I mean:
it’s getting cold.
Everyone you know
a paycheck away
from the next street over,
and the days
only getting shorter.
How will he eat
with so many
unthawed
colleagues?
Joanna Suzanne Lee 
He won’t eat, maybe die, if someone or something doesn’t offer him a heart.
Red, White and Black and Blue
Land of the Free and Home of the brave
We stand on the coffin of the American Dream
Waving flags and shouting epithets
Slapping ourselves on the backs
Of empty bank accounts and empty promises
But all is good and Football season has come
We don’t pay attention to hungry people on corners
When Fox presents us with dynamic 3D graphics
Of young buck gladiators(mostly black) “getting it done”
No, we yell and scream with joy and slightly concealed
Blood Lust—How many wars is it now?
Who cares? We are the world’s policeman
And we carry a big expensive stick
And we’re bringing freedom to rag head neighborhoods
Whether they like it or not–“Light ’em up, they say”
But you really don’t want to know what that means
There is nothing left of a body after 50 caliber bullets
“Making Killers out of Today’s Youth” Sign up now!
See the world, but forget the Mofo sitting on the corner
He could be a veteran who lost his mind
Trying to understand you can’t kill for peace.
Your insightful “comments” are poignant as ever, Tiger. Thanks for gracing my page with your words. Namaste.
Wonderful and sad. How close we ALL live to being there. Lovely image and I LOVE the facebook note about you lying on the bricks to get the perfect shot! That’s dedication to the craft!
Denise Golinowski
Many are just a step away, great reflective piece.
love the kitestrings imagery/metaphor
Thanks, Carl! 🙂
everyone you know is a paycheck away from the next street over…aint that the truth thesedays…it is getting cold and good to remember those neighbors that need a little assist…
Thanks for dropping by, as ever, Brian. Always good to hear from you. Peace.
Definitely truth in your words for the times we live in. I wish I could say it will change, but I think it might get worse before it gets better. My hope is that we will truly be a community for one another as we all need help in some way at some time in our lives.
A good reflective write.
Provoking and incredibly true…. three months out of work and that could be any of us.
This is so true here I see it so much it is a shame to me. I live on the islands and life is so different there I wish it could be the same everywhere but that is the price we pay
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/20/the-fait-of-our-lands/
very telling commentery. also very well written and presented. what does separate us from cardboard homes? luved the final line. ouch. superb write.
http://henryclemmons.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/a-gentle-surprise/
Heart rending, I grew up in extreme poverty (several times without running water and electricity in a one room living space) and was without a home for months at a time as a teenager/young adult. We give every month to help others but I often don’t feel I do enough.
This one aches as only truth can…
A recommendation for the website, though – you may wish to change the font color on your text, as your webpage appears to swallow all text…and while the darkness is wholesome, it does make reading a touch of a trick…
Thanks, Chris. I’m not sure what platform you’re reading from, but what I see (and I presume what most are seeing) is white text on black background, which is the default for this template and which I think is pretty clear to read. Maybe the mobile version is different for some reason?
Everyone you know
a paycheck away
from the next street over,
Indeed!
And yet, we turn away. Perhaps afraid to see ourselves as soon we might be…
So sadly true, Charles! Thanks for your insightful comments. Peace.
This is a wonderful creation that shows us an incredible awareness by the artist. I’m not sure I understood the word “unthawed” where it was and don’t know if there is another word, but I loved this piece!