Epilogue (Part III)

One wakes up feeling something's amiss,
One wakes up asking
What day is this?
The date on the calendar catches the eye,
Ho Hum
How boring
The Fifth of July.
Most people enjoyed their fun-filled day,
Hard workers know the importance of play.
But the facts of life are unforgiving
Time to go back to making a living.
But for some there is a serious void
They are numbered among the unemployed.
We were doing so well,
Who burst the bubble,
We got rid of the king, now what's the trouble?
The unscrupulous businessman who cares not for the poor
He has plenty of money but is hungry for more.
The poor are the brawn, we are the brains
We take all we can get, they can have what remain.
The corporate giants too, always want more
They care not a thing for the plight of the poor.
No help from the Congress we carefully selected
Oh, they think their main job is to get re-elected.
The rich give them money for their campaigns
The rich give them money for political gains.
If they're not repaid when the campaign is through
The lobbyist steps in to see that they do.
The political talk-show hosts have a trick
Tell political lies and hope that they stick.
When asked if they paid their government taxes
The corporate CEO sits back and relaxes.
No we don't pay takes, we send our regrets
We have business expenses like corporate jets.
The filthy rich we are called by the ranks
But we laundered our money in the cleanest of banks.
What about laws--aren't there controls?
We have corporate lawyers that sell their souls,
They help us devise a new Ponzi scheme
A new way to destroy the American dream
Trouble with those consumed by greed
They never have all they think they need.
Cheat your countryman, what have you got?
Designer clothes and a bigger yacht.
You can't take it with you, everyone knows
No pockets in the shrouds as the saying goes.
The way these financial wizards behave
Would make Thomas Jefferson turn in his grave.
We got rid of the king let's ged rid of the greedy
Be honest to all, be fair to the needy!
If this peaceable kingdom comes to pass by and by
We'll all celebrate the Fourth of July.
--Monica B. Owens