Sunday, February 23, 2020

Friday, February 21, 2020

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

at the grocery store

The older man in front of me holding up the line
Where I am checking out at the grocery store 
Needs an override to get his coupon discount 
Telling the cashier that social security leaves him short.

She answers him knowing full well how it isn't enough 
Working there to supplement her own retirement income 
Pointing out the meager cost of living increase this year 
Erased entirely by the Medicare premium increase. 

These are working people living out their days in Florida 
Who have their life long experience to instruct them 
That might instill a fierce class consciousness 
And yet what the cashier says next dismays me.

She repeats some complaint about the Trump impeachment 
That so much money was wasted on it by Pelosi 
As if that's why her social security benefits are so low
Something I suppose she bought into watching Fox News.

Hearing her speak it's easy to see how Trump will be reelected 
If you remember how especially bad Reagan was
Running much the same self-serving playbook for the rich 
While building prisons for the poor and people of color. 

Sadly the cashier may never realize how she’s been swindled
Again and again turned against her true self interest
But certain events have a way of changing everything overnight
Suddenly revealing things unmasked for what they are.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary February 18, 2020

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