As a drinker i reflect on what i have lost
The price i have paid at such a terrible cost
My dignity my pride my marriage my health
My children my job my house my wealth
Its that part of the day again the part that i hate
My family wont be here wont even be late
I know they wont be here because of my lies
The deceit and the false truths the how’s and the whys
The years of me saying im stopping the drink
The damage ive done never stopping to think
Ive done all the rehabs on the hospital wards
The telling my children the we cant affords
Now in more ways than one im alone in the dark
Im left loveless homeless my bed is the park
And i know where will end my tale of woe
Lying face up on a cold slab With a label simply saying
John Doe
Hunger is Rampant, children in jeopardy
Zeus is dismayed, I must take aim quickly
So many creatures, resources abound
Sacrifices to be made, food must be found
With hollowed eyes, gaunt infants implore
An attack on famine, I declare war
Let not one more night pass without food
To select a source, I must act shrewd
I scour the plains, survey the cattle
Gently they graze, no provocation to battle
Perhaps it is best to turn my swift arrows
To greed in halls of wealth so hollow
Who’ll be the first to offer a donation
Dare I attack corrupt corporations
Take my first shot at wealthy who waste
Use their money to give children a taste
Of life as it should be, natural order
The food chain’s bottom, the greedy hoarder
Those who defy Diana the hunter
Should be the first to die from hunger
The Merchants:
It has been said that it takes a whole village
To raise a child; How does a merchant help
Families raise the children?
Merchants live in the village; and together,
Everyone helps raise the children.
How do they help?
The merchants in the village fill the stores.
Parents go there to buy food, clothes and more.
Young people have needs for many things:
Groceries, clothes, shoes, garden hoses, and string.
It’s not like the hunter-gatherer days.
When, the men hunted together to bring the food.
They knew how to help the children.
They taught them how to survive and stay alive.
The children watched and listened.
Today, men and women still help
Raise the village children.
The children watch as the merchants work.
They help by selling goods and setting examples.
Good or bad, the children watch wide eyed
And ears perked!
© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
March 19, 2010
Poetic form: Free Verse