Sun Kissed Days

Sun Kissed Days

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Reality

http://dversepoets.com/



She stormed in,
"I just saw an amazing bumper sticker." she said,
" Buy American the job you may save is your own."
Bold letters etched in my memory,
that was twenty five years ago.
A dialogue among friends began,
twenty five years have passed.
The market saturated with cheap imports,
seduced by low prices,
the dialogue continues.
Like the seasons the world has changed,
like a marriage that's come undone.
Attempts to stimulate the economy
have fallen weak.
The middle class disappear,
the poor bleed,
dreams shatter.
We wait to be romanced by politicians ,
but there is no poetry in poverty,
there's no humanity on shutting the doors to
the crying need.
We are left hanging, waiting for answers,
that just don't come.

86 comments:

  1. What a state your country is in....your politics are very entertaining too.

    Like these lines:
    We wait to be romanced by politicians ,
    but there is no poetry in poverty

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  2. We are fast becoming a world of have and have nots and, the have nots want what the haves have and no-one cares who has what as long as the money men and women) who runs governments behind their puppet leaders keep making money, they won't care who has and has not as long as they keep makng more for themselves and, it's all so sad because the have nots are starving and homeless now, no wonder when the world has its priorites all screwed up and money is the only thing many worship anymore.
    Better jump down of my soap box.
    A great write from you, thought provoking and, sad because it's true.

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  3. All too true, and very well said ayala. There is no poetry in poverty, and these days less and less hope of escape. Thanks for writing and speaking out on this subject--it can't be emphasized enough how important it is.

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  4. Yes there doesn't seem any escape to be had for sure. A grim situation that keeps getting worse and worse. Reality indeed.

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  5. I have no patience for politics. I see loud-mouthed "haves" pretending to understand how the rest of us live. It is becoming more and more difficult to even imagine a solution. You are brave to ponder, and, eloquently, ask us to do the same.

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  6. Oh, this is so hard. I had a chance to help feed some struggling people over the weekend, and I kept thinking how we're all closer to that reality than we realize. It's a tough world, and it makes my heart sad that so many suffer while politicians quibble over issues they'll never agree on. We can all agree that no one should have to go hungry in this world where food is thrown away in heaps. Compelling words, Ayala (sorry to rant) :)

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  7. "...there's no humanity on shutting the doors to
    the crying need." so true my friend, so true.

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  8. there is no poetry in poverty...what a line...this is the harsh reality we now live in...an economy busted and filled with promises by politicians with big waist sizes...

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  9. Meaningful poem, raw words, clear message.

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  10. Heavy write! a reflection on our society that seems doomed to be repeated. us in the middle, drop a little lower...but it's all those that drop completely from sight that scares me to death. An intense and thoughtful write on the state of things that will have this reader pondering long after the comment's been posted. Well said!

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  11. deep, well thought out and beautiful poetry, Ayala! yes, it's a sad state of affairs and you express it so well.

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  12. Things all around our world have certainly changed ~ sad times ~ You expressed this clearly.

    The middle class disappear,
    the poor bleed,
    dreams shatter.

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  13. Provocative and alarming piece... I love "there is no poetry in poverty"...

    ~laurie

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  14. Absolute truth..... sad......

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  15. You've spoken the sad, current truth. I continue to hold out hope, to watch for the sea change...

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  16. I think the change, when and if it does come, will have to come from people like us, one by one, standing up to be heard. Such truth here, sad but so very pertinent.

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  17. Apt view on the state of the nation and world. There seems no energy to even fight any more as the steam engines of greed and power seekers mow more of us down every day. Freedom flourishes when people like you push back! Well done!

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  18. Yup, we overslept the American Dream. Keep up the truth telling. That's what poets are for.

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  19. gut wrenching, Ayala.
    no poetry in poverty... great line.

    passionately angry and well written.

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  20. "there is no poetry in poverty"... so well put.

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  21. the answers don't come, unless we actively seek out the truth, which means letting go of our pre-judgements oftentimes. it's painful, and why i don't do it as often as i should. u got me thinkin'...

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  22. "there is no poetry in poverty" a line that says it all.
    Though the state of the world may be sad I've learned to find the reality of what is really important. No matter what the grinches do we have poetry and each other.

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  23. My grandpa had that same bumper sticker. Still no easy answers, after all this time.

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  24. no poetry in poverty (or maybe there is but sad poetry). It is like a marriage come undone but there's no divorce option. All rather scary.

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  25. Raw, realistic and refreshing look at what is plaguing our country today. The message is powerful.

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  26. Yep. Well said. And a good reminder of debates long gone. I remember when Walmart sold only stuff made in the USA (sigh). But civilizations come and go. I, too, see the erosion of the American experiment.

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  27. Capturing the true horror of the present American society...goodness. "We wait to be romanced by politicians" is so true, we wait and we wait and we let ourselves be seduced, but where does it ever lead, time after time? Ah, how I could rant...but you do so some it up, in "no poetry in poverty"...

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  28. True. Poet to the barricades! What? There are no barricades? Everyone is sitting inside, on the Internet or watching TV? The revolution will not be televised?!?

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  29. All too true, Ayala, and the only consolation is knowing the impermanence of it all. Change comes at some point, though one never knows if for better or worse.

    Your lines about politicians reminded me of a great Carl Sandburg quote: All politicians should have 3 hats - one to throw into the ring, one to talk through, and one to pull rabbits out of if elected.

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  30. what i find most interesting about your poem is that the quote at the beginning was apparently written 25 years ago! i guess there really is "nothing new under the sun." there will always be greedy people ready to take advantage of those less fortunate... yet i hope there will also always be those who, prompted by a love beyond themselves, reach out to those in any and all kinds of need.

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  31. amen to that sister. Sucks to be in the middle of the class today.

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  32. Hey, Ayala. It is hard to fathom how things seems so uncertain. I just gotta keep believing things will continue to be okay.

    And speaking of buying American, here is a post by Hilary today about a company who is keeping it American. Lovely and uplifting post about a seed company here...

    http://positiveletters.blogspot.com/2011/09/landreth-oldest-seed-house-in-states.html

    xo

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  33. Heaven...the state we are in is disappointing.

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  34. Thank you, Daydreamertoo. I am happy you shared your thoughts with us.

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  35. Thank you, Joy. I think we need to be heard...

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  36. Pat..it is getting worse and worse :(

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  37. Thank you, Lori. And thank you for always helping others...it's amazing how quickly life changes....

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  38. Thank you, Tasha. True...so many have just come undone...and it's hard for them to survive these times.

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  39. Thank you, Helena. These are trying times.

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  40. Very strong poem, filled with sad truths about a serious problem.

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  41. Kim...I am holding out hope as well...

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  42. Mrs. Mediocrity....I hope that we are heard but it feels like ...deaf ears....frustrating.

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  43. Thank you, Gay. I appreciate your comment.

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  44. Colleen...overslept the American dream...great way to put it.

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  45. Ed...we have to seek the truth...thanks.

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  46. It is scary, Lauren. I hope things get better.......

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  47. Thank you, Rudri. Hoping all is well with you.

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  48. Joanne....it's amazing because that is no longer true...the price is what dictates what people buy...and meanwhile that is what is destroying us.

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  49. Chris...I know...we wait and then we get disappointed all over again. :(

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  50. Belinda...great quote, thank you for sharing .

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  51. Sheila...it's not what it should be...thanks for your support.

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  52. Thank you, Jannie. I appreciate you sharing this link...I will check it out and I hope others do too.

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  53. Adrienne, I lose my patience but then I return for more punishment. I feel like being aware is my responsibility....I always feel the world on my shoulders.

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  54. It is strange to watch you country from afar - all the politics is so OTT.

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  55. it is a far way to fall from our consumer perch

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  56. We wait to be romanced by politicians

    Loved that line. I think I'm happier on my own... but how I do wish for a knight in shining armor on that front...

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  57. Thank you, Margaret. :) good luck with the knight :)

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  58. no, there's no poetry in poverty..love this line...there's blues in poverty..wonderful write ayala...i still hope for things to change...

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  59. Thank you, Claudia. There is blues in poverty...I hope as well.

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  60. A hot subject thanks for bring it to the surface. I have two sons who have opened small business... it's tough.

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  61. "No poetry in poverty"....excellent, so true. I lived in the projects as a kid, so I can attest to this first hand. Nice write.

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  62. Great poem Ayala, that could start debate in many countries right now. I know the US is in trouble these days but even here it's bad. For far too long the greed of those at the top, have been causing the rest of the country to flounder, and now they've gone too far... Jobs, companies going overseas because they can rip off other people with even lower wages...all for the big profit. Of course we have to stop buying the cheap rubbish they throw at us that we DON'T need. Okay that said...was a good poem and timely. (I will take some deep breaths and calm down). ;)

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  63. Wolfsrosebud...it's not easy these days...good luck to your sons.

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  64. Di...it is a sad situation...I am glad you feel passionate about this...so important to stay passionate about important issues.

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  65. harsh truths here. "no poetry in poverty"-- what a line! thanks for sharing this.

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