America what has happened to you?
Our freedoms are eroding everyday
Vanishing into the midnight air
You think you’re free?
Think again my friend
Ever try to travel while you’re broke?
Ever broke a tooth and you’re too broke to see a dentist?
Ever work your ass off
Only to find yourself sleeping on a cold concrete floor?
Ever stood in a food pantry line
Along with other unemployed Americans
Who can only afford to pay their bills
But not put food on their tables?
Ever had your kids who are of working age
Help you pay the bills?

I came here to the land of dreams
Leaving behind my place of birth
Things are bad there
Always been
Even though I was little
I’d hear the grown folk talk in whispers
Wringing their hands
Pacing to and fro
Worried and anxious

Now I’m here
Been here for most of my life
And it’s looking just as bad as the home land I left
Young people go to college training for jobs that no longer exist
Older folks
Younger folks
Everyone in between is feeling the pinch
Get sick once and you end up in the poor house
I don’t mean to be grim
Even though I too am feeling Uncle Sam’s pinch
I still get up each day
And put a smile on my face
Because life is more than:
Paying bills
Fighting with your ex
Struggling with life’s woes
Life is sweet
Life is sour
Find your sweet spot
Don’t wander from there
That’s your place of power.

EVA SANTIAGO copyright 2014