A Family In Desperation
(I composed this after seeing a picture of a family of father, mother, and two small
boys resting on the bare ground alongside a freight train. They had their few
possessions with them and were waiting for a chance to get a free ride, I assumed
to where the father had better prospects of employment. All of them were cheaply-
dressed, but clean. The father was going through his billfold, possibly counting their
remaining cash. The mother sat with her hand partly covering her face—it seemed
to me in exhaustion rather than shame. The boys were too young to fully
comprehend the situation, but sat quietly rather than playing as one might expect
from children.)
A Family in Desperation
By Elton Camp
What series of events brought this about?
This family has seen better days, no doubt
A normal life they clearly once enjoyed
The father somehow became unemployed
A lesser man might have just walked away
Yet, with his own, this one chose to stay
Mother and wife might have given in to hate
She knew that her place was with her mate
A better chance they are leaving to gain
And hope to get a free ride on the train
It’s, to me, a picture of courage in despair
Of a family to which life has been unfair
Where will the four be able to sleep tonight?
Of supper will they get to share a single bite?
The final outcome who can possibly know
May they have success wherever they go
Copyright © Elton Camp | Year Posted 2011
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