Best Incomes Poems
At internet dating sites secrets are hidden
On his roller coaster of lies, Pam had ridden
Though she agreed to meet Joe in a public park
The sun had already set; it was growing dark
No families or lovers were strolling around
When Jim came from behind and pushed Pam to the ground
Pam went home and was afraid to tell her parents
In four months there was a change in her appearance
Pam left home and started living on the streets
Turning away from every stranger she’d meet
‘Neath neon lights on a cardboard box she lay
Night after night, visiting soup kitchens by day
In her eighth month she found a home for pregnant teens
As her mom endured the torment of fearful dreams
Time neared and Pam called home crying, “Mom, I’ve done wrong!”
Grateful mom said, “Dear, I’d have been there all along"
Lifting Pam up from the grasp of dire poverty
Her parents welcomed the newborn to their family
If she hadn’t made that call, Pam would not have known
The comfort she’d receive in her parents’ fine home
* Entry for Gwendolen’s “Mom, I’m Pregnant” contest.
According to Douglas J. Besharov with the University of Maryland’s School of Public
Policy, almost half of all families headed by women under age 18 have incomes
below the poverty line. This is almost five times the poverty rate of two-parent
families with children.
Categories:
incomes, sad, teenmom, home, home,
Form:
Rhyme
Puppy Love at 55
When I am wise, I’ll turn to puppy love
With generous doses of truth and innocence, almost no shame …
“Her be my gal!” Or “Me gonna marry him, so you jus’ shove!”
Sound adorable. Singing, “He is mine. I am his. Gonna get married, take his name.”
Gone the days of horse and carriage … some sensuous songs, also silent …
At this moment I am not wise, merely older, aged fifty-five;
I make amends, enjoy each tomado-love and each new accent;
Aware of so much pain, woundings, the living-but-barely-alive
So I recall how puppy love felt like fresh air, sunshine, pure
We thought the best of belle or beau
Time never existed. No bills, diapers, nothing to insure
Slobbery kisses on ears, eyes, but unashamed, secure …
When I turned a certain age; not so young and not so pure
I thought marriage was right: seemed the way to secure
Each other in love’s embrace for children, a better future …
No regrets! But I gaze at a happy marriage in old pics now.
So I say this to all poets, painters, quaint artists, saints and sinners:
Start early with puppy love, and never give up on it;
Why discuss doubling household incomes, becoming millionaires
For such talk puts dollar signs where love was beautifully reflected!
The children may yet teach us the ways of innocence
But that is the hardest job today: among adult gadgets, to remain puppies
That lick, slobber, miss the lips and kiss the eyes or chins
And yet without shame, forgetting forbidden fruit, unblinking eyes -
(Asking questions about hair, skin, color … hugs galore, even for the different)
But as to whether I advocate divorce, May I plead the Fifth Amendment?
Categories:
incomes, children, divorce, for her,
Form:
Free verse
Serving one's country used to be a task done
with loyalty and pride,
but, the truth sets in after the perilous ride,
Veterans are let down by the promises made,
After the adrenaline subsides,
They are left hanging in the shade,
without aid,
homes, families
and incomes,
Abandoned without hope,
thinking that they are only
as good as their last battle,
shifted around like unwanted cattle,
How can America prosper with
these uncomfortabilities on their hands?
Veterans and their families deserve
a life that's becoming of the sacrifices
they made,
They deserve to feel pride and a sense of
satisfaction, long after the battle and
recuperation.....
Categories:
incomes, political
Form:
Prose Poetry
I imagine attending a colorful graduation ceremony at the college or university.
After attending my mind is stuck with a lot of queries:
Would graduates cultivate in themselves attributes of entrepreneurs,to think outside the box?
Were graduates tipped to be innovative, self-motivated, willing to take greater risks in
their fields?
Would graduates go into industry to add value in the economy sector,after being equipped with suitable skills?
Could the skills they have acquired be able to sustain them and support their families
with or without formal employment?
Would graduates narrow the skills gap that has existed in the industry?
Did lecturers expose graduates to both technical and entrepreneurship skills during
their training?
Would graduates be entrepreneurs who will constantly create and grow business ventures,thereby creating employment and incomes in the economy?
Could graduates embrace the intelligence of the labor force,and start running viable growth-oriented ventures as a career alternative?
Could they survey key industries,organizations,family and friends already in business ventures?
Would they start up their own business ventures,provided they have access to support and other requisites?
Could graduates blend various fields with entrepreneurship sustainability to overcome unemployment levels?
Could graduates separate what's important from what's irrelevant to make
achievement in life?
Could they be confident, pro-active,decisive and energetic in their endeavors?
Would they be hardworking,firmly decided,continue in spite of opposition or difficulty,
and have the ability to see clearly?
chipepo lwele
*Dedicated to granduads
Categories:
incomes, education, imagination, on work
Form:
Imagism
When did the concept of family become
a tired cliché of phased-out tradition
in need of redefining?
And when did we abandon our parental duties
to glorified babysitters with no real interest
in our childrens' physical and emotional development
outside of their weekly paychecks?
We are bombarded by screaming advertisements
dictating an acceptable standard of living
requiring two or more incomes and
measuring our success by the sum total
of our net worth.
The decline of civilization progresses
as fast food replaces home-cooked meals
and quality time is staring blankly
at a flat screen television
with a group of strangers
living under the same roof.
Categories:
incomes, family
Form:
Free verse
What ever happened to people, who really cared
about the poor and needy in my beloved country?
The current Presidental The administration would like us
to go away. Why not pray God will have the final say!
Yes, rising stock market is good news.
But what about the poor people
trying to make it month after month.
Rising rents are higher than most
people's incomes. Where is all of their
extra money supposed to come from
When a franchise owner of a local Denny;s
on Evergreen Way, in Everett Washington,
had to close down his restaurant.
Why, because the greedy landlord
raised the rent much higher than
he needed to. It was located
not in the high rent district of Everett.
When is enough really enough!
A President of the United States of
America only cares about the wealthy.
And really wants to forget about
the rest of us.
Cutting Social Security,
Medicaid and Medicare.
While lining the pockets
of his wealthy friends.
What a terrible trend
this country is headed in!
The people of Saint Louis
are facing severe wage cuts.
When is enough, enough?
The current administration does not
really care whether care or not
his people breathe fresh air.
Having pure water to drink,
or fresh and healthy food to eat.
He does not care if the poor
and the homeless line
city streets. Does he really
care? President Donald
Trump maybe would say,
"If they don't have any
food to eat, let them eat cake!"
Yes our nation's infer structure
does badly need repair.
He cares about repairing bridges,
and free ways. Maybe he
even cares if the workers
get paid!
Love as always!
Roxanne Lea Dubarry
Roxy Lea 1954
July 17, 2017
Categories:
incomes, america, anxiety,
Form:
Narrative
I used to dream of Frankenstein
When certain of some future glitch,
Now Donald Trump is Valentine
Of House’s Paul and Senate’s Mitch.
Yes, Trump is monster in this farce
Paul crazy-science, Mitch Igor,
The humor good though logic’s sparse,
Bombastic lies that fools adore.
Trump charges others with his crimes,
First charge makes echo sound remiss,
You sigh and blame it on the “Times”
Until he fondles what’s not “hiss.”
Yelled “Crooked Hill” till he was hoarse,
But still can’t make the charges stick
Has yet to share all incomes source,
He promised both, is Trump just “Dick?”(1)
Foundation that the Clintons formed,
With no malfeasance, quid pro quo,
The Trump foundation we’re informed
Thinks “Charity” just word you know.
Trump promised he’d pay for campaign,
So he’d be free of other’s sin...
Loaned funds instead, slight chance of pain
“Repaid” himself as “gifts” came in.
Can no one beat them at their game?
Or slow them as they stack the deck,
By cheating on Obama’s claim,
They plot the constitution’s wreck.
Where’s leadership to sooth and heal
Divided Nation held in thrall?
New leaders seek just to repeal,
The egotist, Neanderthal.
Now nepotism goes unchecked,
Can rich really restrain the rich?
Poor Tsar become our architect.
Whose head shares hole with ostrich.
You voted for him, now pay price,
Can coup be all that far away?
Your children’s lives the sacrifice,
Until then have a happy day!
Brian Johnston
January 10, 2017
A Poet’s Note:
(1) Another criminal politician like Richard Nixon?
Categories:
incomes, corruption, life,
Form:
Quatrain
Before divorce, there was love and constant companionship;
Raising kids and doing housework was a partnership.
Groceries were bought, bills paid, including a house note.
Finances were no problem, two incomes kept things afloat.
Extra money left over for going out and having fun.
After divorce, your paycheck is the only one.
Making ends meet from paycheck to paycheck is stressing.
Realizing some things are no longer affordable is depressing.
No longer able to afford the house you worked so hard to buy;
it’s such a difficult pill to swallow causing you to breakdown and cry.
You feel so hopeless and lost;
experiencing what divorce cost.
Divorce changes everything…your ex, your kids, your residence.
Suddenly you are thrust into a life of independence.
No longer are you part of a couple, you are now a single.
Showing up alone to family events makes it difficult to mingle.
People stare at you, “The Divorced One”.
So-called family and friends, you they will now shun;
acting as if they don’t know you, talking about you or ignoring you.
That’s when you find out who loves you and is a friend who is true.
Divorce changes so much of your life.
No longer are you a husband or a wife.
Now you are doing things all alone;
raising children or grandkids on your own.
Life gets easier as time goes by.
You get back your smile and sparkle in your eye.
It may take months, maybe years,
but one day, you’ll forget all the tears.
You’ll be happy, laughing and feel like singing,
as you reflect…Divorce changes everything.
Categories:
incomes, farewell, life, relationship, house,
Form:
Rhyme
In the garden populated with flowers, red and budded,
Resort robins birds, with inflated fluffy feathers.
They fall in waves between the grass gushing in green
And the impetus of a small purifying pinkish river.
Somewhere in the far little barks that gleam
are resting with oars freely loose; Infants across,
in jackets navy-blue and decent hats,
kick around wide wheel with legs and sticks.
And their peaceful mothers waving in the sun white
handkerchiefs at nurses with wines and baskets overflowed
with food; wide dresses gently flared craw the pure grass,
back and pelvis are stretched drowsy upon accumbent canvases.
The gentlemen with flat cylinder hats: aristocrats and patricians,
undulate hair with radiance of gold, chested,
count cash incomes and score the points in game of cards.
Their coats carelessly abandoned as in modest ensemble of black.
Nearer are all solar deeds, the high stems
and underbushes; pekmez dropped on broad leaves
and bottle of beer – spilling gold with honeycomb like
soul, swings inept, far from the nosy flocks.
White shirt, tailcoat of tricolor velvet, flit about
loudly in a clash with shoes and jabots. The stockings
fly across, breeches slip, underpants reveal!
ideally undressed and with an exquisite moan in reverie:
The two male bodies.
Categories:
incomes, art, love, nature, romance,
Form:
Free verse
Pop was quite a poet,
though his bio wouldn’t show it,
with the exception of this little poem
which I really do feel I owe him.
He was happiest working in the wood,
and did so when ere he could.
That was one of his necessary incomes,
for his five daughters and four sons.
It was then he would sing a song,
Always short and politically wrong.
The rhymes could make us boys smile,
If not but for just a little while.
In the woods he was a self educated master,
He loved it there; peace is what he was after,
Everywhere else, us boys were a bit wary,
His temper trigger was a little hairy.
Brought up roughly, a Canadian farmer’s son,
A machine gunner in the Second Big One,
I never heard those gruesome stories very often,
Only when he allowed his heart to soften.
PTSD and nightmares were his living hell,
complicated with Malaria fevers as well.
With depression a formidable resistance,
He farmed for his family’s existence.
In good moments he would sing poems of an alter life,
Where there was, obviously, no such strife,
Of “when he would go swimmin
With many bull legged wimmin”.
Those feeling good songs rang out loud and gay,
To keep his painful depression at bay.
“Yes ... we have no bannaners,
We have no bannaners today!”
Canadian French was his language norm,
So many of his songs took that form.
I’m sure Mom was his best and biggest fan,
She must have really loved that man.
He had a hard life and his song poems helped him through,
We were often at odds but he did what I could never do.
An unknown hard man with a well hidden poetic heart,
I don’t think he knew it, but Mom did from the start.
For each of his children’s names, he made a French rhyme,
Making the most of poetic license for each of his nine.
They probably weren’t politically correct…
But at least for that one moment,
we .. Each of us ... were his elect.
( Dedicated to the memory of
Rene Francis Dufresne 1917-1998 )
written by Bob Dufresne 6/5/11
Categories:
incomes, fathermom, depression, mom, poems,
Form:
Couplet
One Sunday at church a young lady sat down in the pew in front of me.
She seemed distressed and in despair.
After the service, I asked her what was wrong,
but she would not answer and just kept crying.
A member of the congregation informed me
that she saw her sleeping in the balcony the previous Sunday.
Immediately I knew that she was probably homeless
and was too ashamed to talk about It.
Eventually I called over some of the ministers in the church,
they got her to talk and then we all laid hands on her and prayed.
The Deacon in our church who was in charge of missions got her some help.
I have lived in NYC all of my life and I've seen my share of homeless people.
Some choose to live that way, either because of mental defect
or out of rebelliousness.
Yet others had no choice.
A fire left them without a place to live.
A spouse abandoned their family
and the remaining spouse could no longer bear
the financial burden alone.
A young girl got pregnant and her parents
kicked her out.
A major hike in the rent
and people can no longer afford the monthly burden.
A death, a long term illness, fixed incomes.
There are so many things that can, could
and may happen to anyone of us
and we could be homeless tomorrow.
But for the grace of God, there goeth thou.
Homeless is not a dirty word
so don't look down on those
who live in parks, alley ways, subways,
bus stations or city-owned shelters.
Homeless is not a dirty word
so don't judge others
until you've walked in their shoes.
Homeless is not a dirty word
there are people in this world
who do not have friends or family to help them.
Homeless is not a dirty word
It's just a reality.
Categories:
incomes, angst, introspection, people, social,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
the burning fire in my heart
i wish i was like the saviour
i wish i could change this
nemesis of ignorance befalling us
i wish i could turn the times
now back to our good
i wish all we fear could
stop while we grow in
common sense
i wish Babylon? be burned
and lost
like our invisible dignity
the burning fire in my heart
i wish i can be more helpful
in the quest of saving mankind
i wish i could spark someone
out there by this words of truth
i wish the world stop watching
genocide like a movie
and step up to a chance
of change
i wish together we could honestly
drop all that pulls us apart
into unity to live as one
i am among peace keeping
cos i see a large lack of togetherness
with pointings fingers of isolation
i wish my poems goes beyond
just writing and touch the wounds
of the broken hearts in porverty
the burning fire in my heart
i wish of change in the world today
despite i see it lesser? chances
i wish we could experience anothers
time of joy without worrying of incomes
i wish the world at list advance
to move in a revolution of the soul
where the real chance of change
begins
i wish to be free from the jail of
consciousness
i wish to regain happiness from
the intelligence of intelligent humans
i wish the world at last shows the
heaven on earth it is when humans
values the real sense of nature
the burning fire in my heart
the fire keeping burning
despite i cant stop it flames
from the ink of my pen
yet i wish to be in a world
so peaceful
the fire keeping vibrating
inside my heart
despite i cant be with out
my soul
yet i can feel what ignorance
has cost humans of now
in the depth of greed
we grow in calamity
so i wish for a turn around
now and forever
Categories:
incomes, africa, courage, desire, freedom,
Form:
Epic
I sometimes have job opportunities with very great benefits and incomes,
and I'm often approached more times than none by various unemployed victims,
who ask me if I can do anything for them
to get them accepted into my livelihood and membership of my very great union.
Before obligating myself to any of them,
I'll look straight into the eyes of each and every one of them,
"Heed my words strongly," I then say to all of them.
"I don't take kindly to being interrupted or for myself to be repeating.
Are you willing to risk screwing up my good reputation
by screwing up regularly if I recommend you to be accepted into my very great union?
If you're a screw up and will screw up, please save me the aggravation,
because you will have then screwed up permanently my good reputation.
My superiors will never trust another one of my recommendations
that could have helped a deserving family in need had I recommended them.
So again, if you're a screw up and will screw up, please save me the aggravation,
because when you screw up with me,
I'll have to kill you sadly,
and on that issue I am never joking."
Needless to say I get few applicants asking for my recommendation,
but the ones I do recommend become the very best at performing their profession.
Categories:
incomes, on work and working,
Form:
Rhyme
Death
will come
to all who
pay their taxes.
The love of money
only creates
a deadly
fiscal
drag.
Fiscal drag in economics is the process by which, during inflation, rising incomes draw people into higher tax brackets, so that their real incomes may fall; this acts as restraint (death) to the expansion of the economy.
Categories:
incomes, philosophy, political,
Form:
Free verse
Mature and robust and resonant happiness,
like true wealth,
is made,
seldom simply found.
Happiness, spiritual gratitude,
unlike material wealth,
cannot be inherited by legal right.
Happiness,
like mental health,
and unlike cognitive-affective dissonance,
cannot be owned,
yet works best when shared,
cooperatively governed,
and can be as positively illusory and fleeting
as chronic stress can be negatively delusional,
like Robert Pirsig's "gumption trap."
Happiness is the currency of love,
as blossoms are to healthy
and trusting
and cooperative root systems.
Why is this as difficult to grasp
and hold onto,
this ultimate ecopolitical and psychological power
of healthy love,
spirit of cooperative gratitude
for Earth's richly paid-forward Grace,
as it is easy to dwell on the fear and angry hated distrustful roots
of dissonance
and decay
and decadence
and decomposition?
Why would WinWin ecopolitics of happiness
grow any less dominant
than WinLose suboptimization
of integrity's great and small transitional promise?
Why either LeftBrain successful outcomes
or RightBrain lovely happiness incomes?
Why Economic rationality
or EcoLogical sacred sanity?
Oh right,
I recall
here at last,
Mature and robust and resonant happiness,
like true wealth,
is cooperatively made,
seldom simply found.
Categories:
incomes, caregiving, earth, happiness, health,
Form:
Political Verse