Bleeding City

In our youth
we worked hard,
built a splendid city,
did not know
our masters were fickle
and would take away
what we earned,
disposing of us
without remorse,
without concern
for our children’s future.

And as decay spread
city of splendid dreams,
stores closed, jobs departed,
buildings began to crumble,
streets began collapsing,
the financial, cultural, handgun
capital of the world
could no longer sustain its people

And as services declined
the rats and roaches cavorted
multiplying faster
than relentless exterminators.
Income decreased
except for the few,
crime increased
preying on many
and the people were frightened.

But this is not a bible dream
a savior comes from the wilderness
leads us to safety, prosperity.
Our future is a grim future.
We believe we have democracy
so we will not revolt.
We are surrounded by the ambitious
promising improvement.
Corruption is endemic
almost become trivial
in the growth of poverty.

Yet many still serve our country
doing their duty daily
despite diminishing benefits
as economic hopes dim.
Plans of advancement vanish
as the guardians of our nation
dwindle in competence,
as dumbed down as the rest of us
by opiate tv, crystal meth, internet.

And all the diversions
electronic, sports, fashion,
catering religiously
to insatiable appetites
as we become less capable,
unable to prevent
the coming fall.