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The Foreclosure

The Foreclosure By Elton Camp It might seem unwise or funny A house to buy without money. My middle-income job isn’t stable To save a reserve, I’ve been unable. But such negative talk I truly hate. It’s no valid reason I should wait. Should I pay a landlord any rent, When it means I lose all I’ve spent. No dinky little house will do for me. Must have bedrooms four, baths three. Though it may be quite a long while Before we have any plans for a child. My fine big house must surely stand In a prestigious area, new and grand. And my place must have every feature Though I am only a beginning teacher. The bank’s loan officer, with a big smile Welcomes us in the most friendly style. Approving your home loan is great to me Mainly because it means I get a bigger fee. Now, sign your name here on this dotted line. There’s no need to read it, trust me, it’s fine. You are, for a thirty year mortgage, now all set You surely didn’t notice the size of monthly debt. You won’t be able to afford even a minor treat Or to have much but cornbread and beans to eat. On the first of the month, when mortgage is due Then very little will be left of your check for you. If you find the size of the payment hard to make Don’t become concerned and think it’s a mistake. House prices, for decades, always rapidly will rise. If it becomes a burden, you can sell to other guys. But only a few years after closing came trouble It was the long-feared end of the housing bubble. Not only did increases came to a grinding stop, But selling price began to most drastically drop. Disaster came to housing that shouldn’t oughter. We came to find ourselves very deep under water. Of buyers of our house at any price, there is a dearth Because we owe thirty-thousand more than it’s worth. Many months on the payment, we have got behind The banker, once so cordial, now is far from kind. You dishonest person, give us just what you owe Or we will foreclosure and out the door you will go. I never had considered the possibility that maybe Sooner than we planned, wife would have a baby. Surely even a banker can’t be such a mean old jerk As to expect a woman in her condition to go to work. The bank’s callous response does makes me furious To foreclose on our house, they’re completely serious. I learn from the banker’s message he put on the phone: We’ve waited enough. In thirty days you’ll be gone.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




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Date: 12/16/2010 6:57:00 AM
To Sara: Thanks for reading and commenting. This isn't at all autobiographical. We live in a comfortable old house in a nice section of town and it has been paid for for a long time. But I know of lots of people in the dilemma the poem describes. Another poem of mine about a McMansion for sale speaks to the same problem, but in a different way. Elton
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Date: 12/15/2010 2:52:00 PM
This is the sad plight of so many in our country today..I heard that it is going to get worse for some reason...Very well written..I hope it is just a topic and not your life..Enjoyed the presentation and the topic...Sara
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