The American Dream Sales Pitch

“Streets paved with gold”,
that’s the sales pitch
for the American Dream.

After all, money does
grow on trees and everyone
lives the good life.

I know!
I used to think
the same thing until I became
homeless and my car got repossessed…
and many, many more fortunate events
I’ve been so blessed to experience.

by Kim

Expensive Envy

You don’t know how
the Joneses did it.
You just want
what they have,
point blank,
end of story.

What they have
looks like a winner,
all day,
every day.
It’s the truth!

You’re a top class
admirer all the way
up or down.
The finer things in life are
constantly cruising your alley.

How the Joneses got their luxury,
you really do not want to know.
You just care about the Benjamins
and what they can do for you.

by Kim

Unexpected Times

I hurt,
I bled,
I cry,
I feel sorry for myself,
and I don’t want to get up

BUT

I wipe my tears,
I pick myself up,
dust off the dirt,
and continue on my journey.
I cannot stay down.

by Kim

The American Dream Is Sacrifice

If you don’t work, you don’t eat.
The streets here
aren’t paved with gold,
within the first week,
you had that wake up call.
The American dream is sacrifice.

You work extra hard
for a little bit of change
but you do it
because you are building
your house back home
and your family has to eat.

You take the best job
you are qualified for
which is the worst job
in some people’s eyes,
few citizens would consider

but you don’t mind
washing dishes
is far better than anything
you could ever find
back in your country.

You are more than grateful
to be able to provide
for your family.
Pocket change to some
but a luxury to you.

by Kim

Focused

I keep my head straight
and my eyes even straighter
when it comes to certain things,
I don’t try to watch or envy
what others have.
I don’t know what it took for them
to have what they’ve got
so I stay focused
with all of my might
on the tasks ahead.
Envy is a distraction I do not need.

by Kim

Dungeon Home

It took many years
of isolation
from the contamination
that was my broken family
to finally get
to a place where
I no longer feel like
the dirt
I was convinced I was
as a child growing up
in that twisted dungeon
of a house
that became
the only home
I had ever really
known.

by Kim

Observer

People often look at me
with that puzzled look
that says “what do you have to say?”
about this or that

And when I shake my head and say nothing,
they often look away as if wounded
like that was my chance to save the day.

I never have much of anything to say,
I’m more of an observer.
Speaking up does not make one wiser.

Information need time to marinate.
And sometimes people are just
simply looking for a reaction.

by Kim

A Better Me

To be
a better me
is my daily goal.

I no longer wait
’til the end of the year
or the beginning of the new
to figure out my weak spots.

by Kim