Promises
They promised me education,
in school, in university, in life.
I got a head full of mashed peas and a disappointed mother
They promised me safety,
At home, on the street, at work.
I got 33 wars at any one time,
A killing street and
The traffic light of life on constant red.
They promised me opportunity and freedom.
I got stereotypes, bad jokes and
a cage called myself, in which
I cannot stand up.
They promised me equality, in the papers, on the TV, to my face.
I got a social divide larger than the
Sun and more dangerous to traverse,
a president whose greatest threat is a redneck
Making use of his right to bear arms, and a society
The crux of its existence is the confidence of others.
They promised me a future, better than theirs was, family, love, passion, happiness.
My future is a remote island,
Standing in sizzling heat,
Pressed nose to nose against the other 9 billion sons,
And the only green, in my life on your planet,
Are the gases emanating from the pipes of the industrial whores,
And a patch of inorganic forest kept
In remembrance of better times.
They promised me wealth
Let them bury me in money,
And push my coffin out to sea.
Copyright © Chris Grundy | Year Posted 2012
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment