Versailles, Indiana

He looks at me from underneath
The paper hat he has to wear,
And asks, “What did they do for me?
They said gays could marry. They
Said women could do anything. They
Paid for blacks to go to college,
Gave illegals licenses to drive,
But, when the stamping plant was closed,
They didn't do a thing. 'Too bad.'
They turned and drove away, and, now,
This town is drying up. The kids
All leave. The rest of us go grimly
Back and forth from shitty jobs
Like this, 'Want some ketchup with
Your fries?' to bars, or bathrooms,
Needles, death. When one man
Came and said, 'I know that you've
Been screwed. You won't be now.',
We had to place our faith in him.
He may have conned us. We will
See, but who else ever shook my
Hand and offered help to me?”



Poetry by Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 64 times
Written on 2016-12-10 at 14:58

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