Islands of Poverty
Throughout this prosperous country stands
many forsaken islands of poverty;
There is no need to visit foreign lands
to find children poor and hungry.
Yet charity flows to third world shores
as if blinded by what’s so near;
These islands that lie right outside our door,
that we seem to just hope will disappear.
We refuse to raise the minimum wage
and begrudge them the few food stamps they get;
We call them “lazy”, in fits of rage,
and charity at home we soon forget.
I think it’s great we care for the world,
but not at the expense of the islands here at home;
It’s not the fault of those boys and girls -
we shouldn’t leave them on their own.
In one of the richest countries here on earth
islands of poverty still abound;
What is all this excess worth,
if a way to help cannot be found?
Copyright © Joe Flach | Year Posted 2014
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