*****

Recorded Reading (1:38): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7gwm4ac5499mgduqurp2y/why-aren-t-you.mp3?rlkey=zgx6ltqmp917eq6evpjdpojzd&st=lkbgr4sn&dl=0

*****

all those other poor people are housed ~ why aren’t you?

yes they are

giving up ninety percent
of their nine hundred dollar checks
for a roof and heat

yes they are
eating
trash

yes they are
routinely
giving up their bodies

their safety
their dignity
their basic human rights

for the
privilege
of remaining

yes they are dealing drugs
yes they are stealing
yes they are selling

their grandmothers
down
the river

yes they are
lying
to get references

yes they are
forbidden
to burn even incense

forbidden a guest
more than fourteen
nights

a
year

yes there is
a master lock
behind the front desk

yes they will
have to pass a breathalyzer test
to get into their own “home”

yes their friends
must display id’s
before coming up for coffee

yes they will
be listening
to one another’s boom boxes

hiding in wait
around corners
for each other’s harm

screaming threats
screaming tv’s
screaming fishwives

craving their
jeremy springer
moments

and

no

they will not
be writing
poetry

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code 72D-31S. It will take about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

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