I don't need anything,
I'm just trying to get home.
Life's troubles always on my mind.
What my family needs,
They expect on my 9 to 5.
Rolled over once,
And I'm done.
What passion's won,
Is wasted on the road.
With every cargo I unload.
If the dirt under my nails ain't proof enough,
Then maybe my smokey face will convince you.
What can I do for us?
If I can't work for us.
I try to fix up the house to make him smile,
But we got nothin' to fix up.
And all I need is anything,
That the other kids have got.
But all the playing outside,
Ain't givin' us any bread to eat at night.
And with an empty stomach,
I look up at the stars.
Without any dreams tonight,
I can only live to fight.
Author notes
This is a group of different perspectives on the American Dream, coming from the white collar, blue collar, wife, and child's view.
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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What can i say here other than this is such a lovely poem. It is sad that survival and money is hand in hand.
And with an empty stomach,
I look up at the stars.
Without any dreams tonight,
I can only live to fight.
This is sad but I do feel that though a person can be very poor in a monetary way many times it is those same people that have riches well beyond those that only know greed. Great poem keep writing!
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liked this
beeing from a relatively poor back ground, in todays standards i fully relate to this poem love the line " if the dirt under my nails ain't proof enough, then maybe my smokey face will convince you" i all so like the line " I'll try to fix up the house to make him smile, but we got nothing to fix up" i saw this in my mother as i was growing up, i loved this read a few times, thanks verry much great poem,
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dark dream
I think Edgar Allen Poe and Charles Dickenson would have liked this or even Guy DeMaupassant, they found the hard reality behind the picture of life..
sometimes hidden in lovely prose..
Your poem is true to many realities even in other countries...poverty ignored in rich countries..
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I like how all 4 perspectives were tied together with the last stanza, and I like how you put 4 different twists on something that has always been collective with one simple title, The American Dream. Well done!!
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I think in order to truly understand this piece, you had to have been poor, and I think this is why not too many people will get it. Thanks so much for your appreciation.
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While I'm not natively American, my family fell on hard times as a child, so this speaks to me. It also illustrates how this can all rage inside one person, as so many dreams seem to formulate when the means to accomplish them are hard to come by. This poem captures that in an amazing way.
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As did mine, and it only got harder as time went by. It wasn't until my dad became a civilian that we actually started bringing in money. Damn shame it took 16 years of living in squalor to bring what it has now.
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Yes, it is indeed a shame, but don't forget to be grateful for what you have. I know from experience that a less than pleasant past makes easier living taste all the more sweet.
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wonderfully written poem with so much love from you heart just beautiful
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I Applaud
Wow. This is really amazing. I agree with Texas; you really captured their thoughts and expressed them so well! This is very powerful.
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Amazing
To capture the mind of others is an amazing gift. I love the way this reads. The way you have captured the thoughts of so many of us is magnificent.
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Ah Beloved Poetess ...
your words capture that which others often ignore. You are simply wondrous and if you keep going in the same direction, you will become the greatest voice of truth of your generation.
You do not believe me? Do and see!
Love
Myra
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Thank you so much; this was always an issue for me, because of the fact that I grew up poor. No one seems to want to listen to the little guy, so I decided to write this.
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I was born the daughter of a man not poor ...
and he died and I became poor and very, very rich. Does that make sense?
Love you.
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Such different takes on what one perceives as the American Dream. Wonderful imagery. Excellent flow
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powerful and great
beloved heart, this is so very true, for to many people are homeless, to many one paycheck from homeless.
in america to have to choose between electricity and food is immoral, and should be a crime.
this is a soapbox issue of mine. for women and kids living in cars, working the bars, praying their daughters not suffer the same fate.
love you for putting light on this.
great, great, great 100 bunny ears, alass they only allow three.
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What a great emotional write. You penned this well. Thanks for sharing this!
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