Trailer of Tears

The dingy grey single-wide grows

From the edge of the highway,

A weed with the will to sprout there,

But not the vitality to thrive.

A poverty of attention makes up the

Thin skin with the powder of neglect.

A concrete block for a step is the

Only plant that shows a human hand.

Someone lives here,

Someone who can't afford to care,

Someone with nothing to hide.

Someone calls this home.

Chris Brockman

Comments: 10

Chris Brockman Nov 16, 2009, 11:48pm UTC

I drive past this every day. This morning it struck me and I had to write about it.

Siddartha Pierce Nov 17, 2009, 6:04am UTC

A dark but touching take on such a thing.

Chris Brockman Nov 17, 2009, 9:36am UTC

Dark, perhaps. That certainly is the appearance, but the someone who "calls this home" may just live here. It could be some crazy writer pounding out the great American novel. Or, more likely it is the great American hovel.

Chris Brockman Nov 17, 2009, 9:40am UTC

I struggled with the title. I'm not entirely happy with this one because it does beg the question.

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Kushal Poddar Nov 17, 2009, 8:21am UTC

The title immediately caught me. Poverty of attention is not touching this poetry. It is real. Real indeed.

eat in silence

Chris Brockman Nov 17, 2009, 9:39am UTC

Thanks, Kushak. I wish I had more presence of mind to pay careful attention to more things. When I grow up I want to be as prolific as you.

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Alison H. Nov 17, 2009, 10:51pm UTC

There are so many hidden lives that we wonder about. Great write.

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William Dotani Nov 18, 2009, 10:03am UTC

The sublime play on the Cherokee 'Trail of Tears' is well suited in your verse to show an analogy to the plight of many living in dire straits.

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Chris Brockman Nov 18, 2009, 4:43pm UTC

Thanks William. I did have reservations (no pun) about using that allusion and analogy. I take the original very, very seriously. Did you know that Jackson specifically pledged to help his Native American brethren in his first inaugural speech. Then by his third annual address to Congress he was bragging about ridding Ohio of the "embarrassment" of indians.

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Trailer of Tears

Comments: 10

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