Rejects
Children of despair
populate my land
increasing in numbers annually,
a criminal dividend
wasting youth, resources, the future
as an indifferent system
that does not care
who survives, flourishes,
those who could help
completely preoccupied
with profit and loss,
continuation of the disadvantaged
of no concern.
Urban Woe
A great city
is known for many things,
some in the tourist guides,
restaurant guides,
entertainment guides,
and the middle class
still lives well,
those who have not been attrited
by loss of jobs,
other income shattering occurrences.
While the working class
and the poverty class
slowly submerge
into struggles for survival.
The homeless sit on many corners
cardboard signs proclaiming need,
mostly ignored,
too many demands
in a time of decline,
while most of the people
dwell in comfort,
immune to deprivation.
Gary Beck
Cold Front
Winter winds blow harshly
as people trudge unkind streets
heads lowered, backs bent,
walking an exertion
especially for the elderly,
aged bodies stiffening in the cold,
urgently intent
on reaching somewhere warm.
End of Term
A President dies.
Some mourn genuinely.
Some pay lip service.
Most go about their business
as if nothing happened
that affected them.
Too many of us don’t realize
that although he is a figurehead
created by special interests,
some are more effective than others
in serving the nation.
A warm day in December
startles the city dwellers
out of winter wear
for brief enjoyment
of the daily routine
without heavy clothing.
Gary Beck
