Dreams of America III: Jay's Dispair

Jay fills another form out for a job,
From McDonalds to Wendys and then on to Bob’s,
His feet have been hurting from walking the roads,
He used to make autos, now hunger bodes.
They hocked all their jewelry, even Dad’s fob.

“Hush now my babies, Dad is not far,”
“We will be fine if we stay in the car.”
“Just snuggle in blankets to keep out the cold,”
“Take the quilt there, the one that I sewed.”
“Here are some peaches.” – ‘From our last jar’.

Jay returns head down, no one will hire,
They have no insurance, it has expired.
All of their money went to what was owed,
Finally evicted, “Return not.” they’re told.
Homeless with wife and children he sired.

‘My parents and theirs made me believe,’
‘A job in the plant would be good indeed.’
‘I have no skills but to lift and to load,’
‘Now I have nothing, I paid what was owed.’
Another lost family, passed through the sieve.


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2007 Rodney Alan Crater