Pity the Lesser Haves
The wealthy have a wealth gap
as the top one-hundredth of the 1 percent
leave the merely very rich behind
in the purchase of art, diamonds, yachts
while the rising tide is lifting mega-yachts,
orders for 300 footers to a record high,
costing about $250 million,
more then most millennials can afford,
also denied the pleasure of large-cabin jets,
so they can only seethe with envy
at the bigger, better purchases
of their economic superiors.
The Road to Disaster
The President reflects
the nature of the people,
at least enough to elect him.
As we reel under his assaults
on the economy
creating a bigger and bigger
poverty class,
insane attacks
on the environment
poisoning our waters,
alienating friends, allies,
until they no longer trust us
and may not support us
in our time of need,
as we are victims of greed,
stupidity, insanity,
betraying our tomorrows.
Uncertain Times
It is April seventh in New York City.
37 degrees F. Damp. Dank. Snow expected.
I have not seen a Robin,
provoking my fear
that they have abandoned
the good old U.S.A.
betrayed by the E.P.A.
We self-elected our species
custodians of the Earth,
yet between global warming,
climate change, loss of habitat,
wanton consumption
of natural resources,
and the usual depredations
of war, disease, crime, poverty,
our hope for the future
lies in space travel
to habitable planets,
where we’ll ravage the new home
just as we’ve devastated the old.
Perspective
Another school shooting.
A calculating teen
violently invades
what should have been
a safe learning center.
Except for the aggrieved,
it’s quickly forgotten.
A disturbed man
kills his girlfriend’s baby
because it cried too loud.
Yet it’s quickly forgotten.
Women charge a prominent man
with sexual abuse
and the outrage is deafening.
The case goes on and on
titillating the people,
far more important
then the slaughter of children.
Progress
Once the telephone
was a wonder instrument
that no one took for granted,
few understanding
how it worked.
Now the Iphone
is an incredible device
that everyone takes for granted,
fewer understanding
how it works.
