Negotiated Poverty Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Prosperity.
A word.
A term used and a wish.
That promises dreamers.
And those once to have middle class status,
Hold onto visions.
Higher taxes to pay,
Slowly chips away from their grasp.
To know this ideal shows a rusting fast.

Prosperity?
Is a hope tossed to those poor.
To believe opportunities,
For them still exist.
And at their doors a prosperity,
Will come delivered by those rich.
The ones who are wealthy.
Slick and quick to disguise,
Their unionized abilities.
With a manipulated capability,
A kept negotiated poverty.
That is acceptable to all,
Spring, Winter, Summer and Fall.
To have everyone perceive,
A few pennies received.
Touched and felt to jingle in their pockets.
Will increase their quality of life.
As long as reality and the truth of it.
Continues to remain and stay ignored.

Prosperity?
Only the rich,
Know how to get that more.
Living within gated communities.
And hired guards to protect their doors.