Trailer Park
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This poem was inspired by James Carville's remark:"Drag a $100 bill through a trailer camp and there's no telling what you will find." I should say that Modesto California (a location I use in the poem) really is dysfunctional, with very high crime and unemployment. Carville's childhood acqaintance of trailer parks was no doubt different. But the poem is supposed to be funny, not completely realistic.
After work at Google, I sat with the guys
I said we were elite, enlightened and wise
We had to censor those in this benighted nation
Who spread disruptive disinformation.
A Venture Cap named Hank said this isn't fair
He said trusting the little guy shows that you care
I said the little guy doesn't know his own need
Without supervision, he'll do anything for greed
I could drag a dollar through some trailer park
No telling what I'd find, like bait to a shark.
They'd sell me drugs or stolen car parts
The dysfunction there is off the charts.
Hank grew angry, so I said I'd bet all my stocks
I'd visit Modesto, a place of hard knocks
He'd fly a drone overhead, while I went in flashing cash
If I won, he'd pay oil, if he won, I'd lose my stash.
He took the bet, and the big day came
but he tipped off the park, he cheated the game
The drone took off streaming to a far camera crew
I put on my Armani suit, and Birkenstock shoe.
I passed a junkyard dog, who gave me a growl
I laughed, that Texan should throw in the towel
I passed a rusty car on a stone, but it gave me a start
There was a label on it, a famous Frenchman's high art.
On the grass was a bearded man reading a thick tome
I glanced at the title, "the fall of ancient Rome"
I ran into a woman, my heart skipped a beat
She said, "Come here, Honey-Chile, I'll offer a treat!"
I winked at the sky, where the drone must have been
Then she took me to her porch, pulled out a violin
Played Vivaldi's Four Seasons, it made my head spin
A roughneck joined in with a mischievous grin
I was getting nervous about my bet.
But the day was young, there was still hope yet
Saw two guys yelling, both covered with tattoos
I gave thumbs up to the drone, then heard their views
One said "they're not creative, take ChatGPT"
The other said "they learn rules, I'll prove on my PC!"
The conversation was leaving me in shock
All my stock options lost, I'd be forever in hock
I saw a sign on a building, "chop house": it said
This was more like it, hope wasn't dead
But I saw kids doing karate chops and flips
So civilized, not like the Bloods and the Crips.
I decided I would have to pick a fight
I found a one-eyed guy, said "you have privilege, you're white"
He patted me on the back, said "I'm Apache all through!"
"You settler colonialist, you watch too much of 'The View'."
The drone flew back, the footage could not be denied
I gave up being snide for Modesto Trailer pride
The Texan gave a grin, took my portfolio over
Gave some to the park, they're rolling in clover
As for me I have to rent but the prices are insane
That Bay Area elite should be taking the blame.
Copyright © Gideon Oknin | Year Posted 2024
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