Allow me to give you all a very warm welcome
and tell you about the Land of the Rising Slum.
Its capital is a shantytown called Cardboard City
where they only eat their pride to take our pity.
They always sleep under screaming headlines
that now say "Worst Economic Crisis Since 1929."
In Hell's Kitchen, emptiness fills their bellies.
The real world that doesn't appear on tellies,
is what the homeless go through every day.
Reality makes us want to look the other way.
We don't see them as humans but as a different kind.
"Hobo Sapiens" is the first name that comes to mind.
They travel by jumping on freight trains with fright.
Jack Frost freezes some citizens during winter nights.
They beg on street corners from passersby
but don't get the change they want to buy.
They only commit crimes as a last resort
but these crooks want to be thwarted.
Their time will be to them like a jackpot
because they will get three hots and a cot.
"Rags to Riches" is a fairy tale like Slumdog Millionaire.
No Oscar can ever make the slums shine, here or there.
Author notes
- Hobo Sapiens: a play on Homo Sapiens, the Latin name for human.
- Hell's Kitchen = a district in Manhattan formerly noted for its poor living conditions.
- three hots and a cot: slang for food and shelter they give in prison.
A contest entry
- I WANT ANYTHING! by Umi Juvariel.
4300 points, ended April 9, 369 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Awesome
At some spots a thought this could flow a little better, but the imagery and information are very accurate and well-described.
I don't think this poem was funny. I think it proves how scary the situation is that America is going through right now. This was well-written.
~*~Gi~*~ -
Ah! That was soooooooooo funny. Land of the rising slum! I am sorry, that made my day. I like this piece and all the references you use. It made it work. This piece was unique. Excellent write and good luck in my contest.
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