Plight of the Poet


© 1998 Mick Cusimano

Rags and poverty the bard's middle name
Shelved at the bottom of America's game
Living in squalor as night approaches
You're never alone just listen for the roaches
Dining on cheeseburger while yuppies eat lobster
The girl you fancy ran off with a mobster
Riding subways, sardines stuffed in jeans
Poets speak truth which television cleans
Occupation Surrealist destination unknown
Waiting for Letterman to call on the phone
Pedestrians stroll by, the poet performs verse
For them only reruns could possibly be worse
Winding down the highway the sage moves on
The city ignores him 'til he's dead and gone