I'm a kinky 29 year old vegan, polyamorous, feminist, atheist, progressive, democratic socialist. I also have a purely NSFW blog at sex-and-cake-and-revolution.tumblr.com

23rd February 2012

Post reblogged from This is Not a Political Blog with 15 notes

Food Stamps (A Shitty Poem about Government Assistance and Being Poor)

amouthygirl:

Walking down the street and on the side of the road

I see a dirty, poor man carrying a heavy load.

He looked at me in the eyes just as I passed

I smiled, and he turned to follow me so fast.

He wanted to talk, couldn’t find the word

Or maybe he thought I wouldn’t have heard.

But then he finally spoke, his voice subdued

All he needed was some money for some food.

He said, “Hey, girl, you wanna buy some of these?”

And pulled out from his bag a stack of DVDs.

I said, “No thanks, I really wish I could,

You should be more careful in this neighborhood.

You see, I grew up here living on the streets

Begging for change, running from the police.

I ran with some thugs, selling drugs, dodging slugs

I got caught up with men with mean looking mugs.

So again, I repeat, be careful my friend

For if you don’t, you may meet your end.”

So then he replied, “I have a family to feed,

Just a couple dollars is all I really need.

I’ve gotta get some juice and some bread and some cheese.

I have two twins who barely just turned three.

I feel so bad ‘cause we are struggling to survive.

I hate myself, for I’m a daddy who can’t provide.

I ask again, please, have a heart.

Don’t kick me to the curb and give my day a bad start.”

I told him I wish that I could give him a hand,

And then I told him he simply didn’t understand.

The government assistance doesn’t give enough.

Even working two jobs, we still have it rough.

See, I’ve got two kids myself, and no one else.

I don’t have anyone to even ever help.

I’m all alone in this sick, sad world

And to you, my story is barely just unfurled.

I asked him to believe that I didn’t have some cash,

That if I did, I’d give it unabashed.

I wanted to help with all of my heart,

But with only food stamps I just had to depart.

No cash on me ever, no way to scrimp and save,

Capitalism be the death of us. It makes us all its slave.

  1. tsotchke said: This is something I relate to, both having grown up in a poor family and wanting to help others in need but without the means to. I really enjoyed it, thank you for making me feel.