I DREAMED OF AGING BUILDINGS

I dreamed of aging buildings
held together with
fish line,
of rusted bridges
silently waiting
to fall,
while women and men
by the millions
hopelessly looked
for work.

I dreamed of polluted rivers
on fire in a
drought,
while politicians opened their
briefcases like hungry
fish mouths,
for the cash that would make them
forget,
the drug that would make them
not care--
no one there.

My country,
'tis of thee,
'tis of thee
I dream.
Land of the
free
(forced to pay for endless wars to enrich a few),
home of the
brave
(now afraid to speak),
have you no will
to live?

no plus ones

May 27 2015