Political

This is a poem 
for the downtrodden, 
the ones who social workers 
call "marginalized" 
for the child vendors 
of gum, 
who should be in school, 
or at play 
this is a poem 
for the shoeshine 
bent over all day, 
and for Indian women 
huddled in billowing skirts 
midst their herbs, trinkets and sweets 
it is a poem 
for the denizens 
of streets... 
And for blind beggars 
and the limbless, 
for those without insulin 
for those who must choose- 
food or medicine. 
This is a poem for the poor- 
who Jesus said 
will always be with us, 
and it is also for the indifferent 
who walk away... 
(the well-off at least for today.) 
And for the merciful, the compassinate and just- 
may they too, always be with us.

This is a Poem...