Dee Allen- Po Poet and Author of the newly released POOR Press publication - Skeletal Black - available at poorpress.net
C.A.R.E.
For the homeless
On some street
In Saint Pete
Looks like
A cage
For people
An open-air
Holding cell
South of Heaven,
East side of Hell,
A jailhouse with a dusky
Ceiling full of stars,
Black wrought
Iron bars
Surround the transients’ reality.
Across the street
From a trailer,
S.W.A.T. monitors enclosed activity:
Crouching low,
Pacing around,
Nine-hour
Lock-down—
It was animals
That placed
Homeless ones in captivity
For no sins, away from palm trees & passers-by.
A step up from sidewalk
Tent-snatching.
Public safety
For rich newcomers
On some street
In Saint Pete
Looks like
A cage
For people
Guantanamo Bay
Outside.
W: 3.15.19
[ For Bruce and Barbara Wright. ]