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An Urban Autumn Tale

An Urban Autumn Tale

Christmas wishes voiced in young October
generate a mournful sigh of noise
from a harried, working single mother
who knows she can’t afford the latest toys

as she cleans the mealtime’s meager leavings,
both her daughters giggling away,
she wipes her eyes as well as supper dishes
and in her troubled soul begins to pray

a husband, locked away for dealing cocaine,
is not much help in covering the rent
and holding down two jobs to pay expenses
she herself, is nearly always spent

she wants to spend more time with both her children,
but somehow never seems to get the chance
and she aches within her own young body
for the lack of something called romance

welfare checks are not her way of coping
she’d rather starve than suffer their disdain
her parents raised her to be independent
and so she grits her teeth and eats the pain

only God is privy to her troubles
for she does not care to socialize
with others who are victims of a system
that only sees with prejudicial eyes

and though her hopes for Christmas are but wishes,
still she smiles and gives her girls a squeeze
tomorrow she will hock her wedding jewelry
so next week won’t find them on their knees

C. Lon R. Bruso

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
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Comments

Loved this write it shows a real picture of a lot of people.
I cannot understand how a great country like yours can allow those assholes on the hill keep their pay while many are not paid, this needs to change.
How can your country run when those over bearing, overpaid, thoughtless assholes on the hill, can at a whim steal the bread from the mouths of the people that put them there, sorry I have lots of friends in the States and it hurts me over here, All those people that they are not paying should go and sit in that useless building at least they will have shelter
Yours Ian.T

.
There are a million reasons to believe in yourself,
So find more reasons to believe in others..

Always good to hear from someone "Across the Pond" ! Hope you are doing well and staying healthy!

author comment

is to paint an emotional situation with falling into the pit of sentimentality
That along with your near perfect verse.
Kudos.
.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

I always appreciate an up front review!

author comment

Very dramatic picture of the times we live in, the hardness of life for those who wish no matter how bad it is to hold their heads up high. I have a lot of respect for those who toil to keep their dignity. I know because my Mom was one of these, I remember her having three jobs and still instilled in us her children, pride and respect for all that we did have.
very well done by you my brother..

Eddie.

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS
IT'S ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.
VIVIAN GREENE

Haven't been around here much lately, good to hear from you!

author comment

Awesome poem! You, so well, highlight the plight of many impoverished families during the "festive" season! and, by way of contrast, you highlight the sacrifices made, despite the difficulties - to make Christmas a joyful family occasion.

A sad and yet heroic piece.

Love Mand xxx

It does my old heart good to hear good words like that and I do appreciate them!

author comment
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