The American Nightmare

The American Nightmare I stand outside the fence Looking through black cast iron bars So many flowers A million roses growing in the garden Oak trees as old as the town Their canopy giving the yard a cool place A stream wanders through the freshly cut grass There’s not a single weed in sight What a beautiful paradise There are light in the windows of the house People are there eating their dinner Roast beef, potato mash and fresh strawberry pie They laugh at some stupid joke There is smoke coming from the flagstone chimney I smell the scent of newly cut cherry logs This has to be the American dream I look in my pockets Two dollar bills and four dimes fill my hand Torn shoes and worn out pants This is my American nightmare Looking through a cast iron fence at others living the dream