People Among Us
People among us
I traveled alone to see people I never meet
Well beyond the usual places I get to visit
Knowing instinctively I will learn something,
There by the river I came upon stranded folks
Thrilled in joy as their rescue boat arrived
But it filled up quickly leaving them behind.
The next town over, I stopped for a meal
Where farms are filled with abundant yields
As happy people meander and merrily live,
Surprised, there I met souls awfully lonesome,
Pained by hunger, looking despondent
Mired in worries if they'll ever have enough.
As I crossed into the streets of an urban city
I found urgent hustle near towers of glitter
Bustling with vigor of wealthy opulence,
Among them were earners of meager wages
Unable to pay for their routine needs
Drowning in debts without a hint of relief.
A sound of ambulance veered me to a hospital
Where doctors and nurses performed miracles
Caring for the injured and aging population,
Among them were patients lacking health insurance
Whose illness was draining their retirement funds
As creditors' demands were driving them bankrupt.
I returned home through a path of disaster
Where entire communities have lost their homes
Without any means of rebuilding abode,
Among them were people who will soon confront
Unthinkable prospects of living on the streets,
With no place to go and nowhere to turn.
December 8, 2017
People
Sponsor: Richard Lamoureux
Placed 4th
Copyright © Vijay Pandit | Year Posted 2017
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