Robert Gorelick Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

A Shamed City

Our mayor and city council know what to do
The county supervisors and talk show hosts too

Budget measure HHH we Angelinos passed
Costing billions, homelessness would end at last

There were 57,000 unhoused in L.A. last year
Now it’s 68,000, growing with elections near

The garment district downtown and all of skid row
Are squalid tent camps where filth and despair flow

From the Valley, to Hollywood, out to the beach
Huddled in parks, under bridges, hills out of reach

Some scream and curse, drugged or drunken
Others silent and still, bodies broken, spirits sunken

They’re bad for business, they spread disease!
Will our elected officials do something?  Please!

Neglected, abused, mentally ill
There’s really no urgent civic will

Some may receive disability pay
Enough for liquid comfort, but a room? No way

A lifelong Angelino, I feel enraged and defeated
For I see my town by how our worst off are treated

5/31/22

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Michael Tor October 6, 2022 at 8:46 PM Robert your cries for help are heard my friend. This is a sad truth that is found in almost every major city. The disregard for humanity is evident in our leaders and even public for not protesting and bringing attention to the reality of the streets. A champion you are to bring this to the forefront. God bless you for it...

Robert Lindley June 7, 2022 at 8:05 AM Politicians speak lies for votes. Many are just arrogant, selfish leeches themselves. Idiots that reward bad behavior and attempt to paint themselves as heroes! Those that reward the lost ones that take drugs, refuse to aceot responsibility only encourage that behavior, imho. Proper help is rarely ever given. God bless.

L Milton Hankins May 31, 2022 at 7:17 PM I hear you, Robert. The politicians hear you. The religious hear you. The social workers hear you. WE HEAR YOU. But, don't count on any empathetic response. Perhaps the bigger problem is too many deaf ears!!! Too many blind eyes!!! Robert Gorelick June 1, 2022 at 10:38 AM I am so relieved I am not alone in my sadness and outrage! Robert

John Lawless May 31, 2022 at 6:12 PM ...with politicians and religious leader playing the "ostrich game" there is little hope for anything being done Robert Gorelick June 1, 2022 at 10:44 AM It seems what once would have caused civic shame, is now just the norm. Thank you for your visit! Robert

Gershon Wolf May 31, 2022 at 5:16 PM A complete shame, Robert. You nailed it... I remember 'Skid Row' in Chicago in the 50's and 60's. It burned down during the M.L. King riots. Some of it has never been restored, to this very day. So, don't hold your breath. ~ Gershon Robert Gorelick June 1, 2022 at 10:46 AM L.A. is both the entertainment capitol and third world capital of the U.S. Thanks for your visit, Gershon! Robert