Untitled

The Kakocracy has finally won.
Didn’t you know that?
The rats at the helm 
No longer fear the rat catcher.
He was been bought a long time ago
And is nothing more than an errand boy
Who knows his place.

Birth has become an act of pure brutality 
as mothers deliver them to the ring.
You better learn to shadow box, kid 
because some of them shadows could break your ribs
with just one shot.

The worst thing that can happen 
to those who have never learned to lose
is to look up at the fan whirling high above.

The horror of the unreasonable man
Is to grow lame before the final bell
And never be able to get back up again.
It is here
from money to the body
everything is owed and nothing is kept. 
It’s just rent.
It’s always just rent.
Even the nameless 
will pay the cost of living in a box.
Mothers!
If you love your children don’t let them be born 
Not now.
Not till we drag the trickster monkey
To the guillotine.
In his right hand 
Is the twenty first century 
Which came on like a curse
But was delivered
As a bullet.


The only thing that will remain 
are those mornings which come with an eviction notice
and a court date.
Those who survive
know the meaning 
of the SRO heart.
At these depths
All birth is Kabuki theater.
Theater sold on the cheap.
Theater given away
Like a hot shot.
Chances are you will 
Never pull that needle out. 
In the wards
no angel dares to fly
not if he wants
to find his way back up
to reach the surface
once more
before the mandatory 72 hours 
expires
and the man at the door hands 
you back your shoes
without laces.  
Either walking through the heavy metal door
or being washed out
in afterbirth
the lesson we all learn
is
the future 
has become a torn dress
lost in a warehoused apartment
in
a forgotten borough. 
It was a crime committed
by a Robber Baron’s pale hand.
It was just another show for all of us to see
as if it was just a sport
only this time
all those who watch
are an unwilling audience.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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

Abuelo Avatar
August 8, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Hey Jannie if you want to use this piece on your site that would be ok. Matt
Breedt Avatar
August 8, 2017 at 12:43 AM
It's like eating an olive this one. It's deliciously bitter and begging for more. The first line is an absouter killer and politically so apt is the first 3rd of the poem. I think would be a darling to put this on the front page of our media. Kakocracy-sorry but I am stealing your word. In South Africa it will be an absolute hoot
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace