Alienation

I am a stranger in an alien land,
Always searching  for eternal youth,
Controlled by an aristocracy with
Little time for honesty and truth.
The food banks are booming
Hardly a state of joy and glory
As the world prepares to celebrate
That  age old Nativity Story.

A season of conspicuous Consumption, 
A time of reflection and celebration
Or a time of struggles to survive for
A growing proportion of our nation.
Being black, unemployed or sick
Nowadays  the modern day sin
As the homeless sleep rough and 
Scavenge from the waste food bin.

The privileged will celebrate 
The Holy Virgin Birth
And turn a blind eye to
The fast warming earth
The sick will die untreated in
The growing A and E queue
Only the thickness of a payslip
Stops that being me or you.
All over this rich  nation
The comfortable will give thanks
And turn a seasonal blind eye 
To queues at the  food banks.
The Sovereign from the palace
Will give the annual address
Closely watched and monitored
By the billionaire owned free press.

The Sally Army Christmas, kitchen
Will feed some of the  masses
And so another year of repression,
With false bonhomie, slowly passes.
I become more and more an alien
In this my own native born land
My world has changed completely
To one I can no longer understand.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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Volumes Avatar
December 10, 2022 at 2:25 PM
THIS IS the most courageous poem I have ever read on Soup !!! I feel EXACTLY that way but have never been game enough to voice it on here ! I guess I didn't want to hurt the ones that steadfastly believe its a wonderful time of the year. IT ISNT. I honestly believe it brings as much if not more sorrow and hardship than it brings joy. Terry Thank you Thank YOU THANK YOU for this poem. If I can add it to my favorites twice I will.
Ireland Avatar
December 11, 2022 at 1:39 AM
Thanks Wen
Kyser Avatar
December 10, 2022 at 2:19 PM
There's a real separation between the Christian meaning of Christmas and the holiday celebrated by the average person. It is a shame that many people only think about the homeless at Christmas time, but the community is a tough one to crack - substance abuse, mental illness, PTSD, and many other issues. I spent quite a bit of time as a part of a church that worked with them on a regular basis, and I still wonder how much good we did... Good thoughts, Terry.
Ireland Avatar
December 11, 2022 at 1:39 AM
Absolutely agree Jeff. I am convinced the work you did was needed, useful and effective. It's just the thought for some people that somebody will listen and not judge. We ran a Drop-in Coffee Shop and Chat 5 days a week for more than 5 years. Free coffee, freedom of expression and respect. My most amazing memory is of a Korean War Veteran aged 82, helping calm down a 24 yo Afghan Veteran.
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