Supreme court allows the criminalization of homelessness

I was born in the greatest nation in the world
So they told me

I was born in a nation that values every human life
So they told me

I was born in a nation where the janitor is as valued as the CEO
So they told me

I was born in a nation where everyone can be successful
So they told me

I was born in a nation of fair play and even chances
So they told me

I was born in a nation where people look after each other
So they told me

I was born in a nation of the helping hand
So they told me

I was born in a nation that goes the extra mile
So they told me

I was born in a nation of empathy, of compassion
So they told me

I was misinformed

Buff Whitman-Bradley’s poetry has been widely published in print and online journals. He has a new book coming out from Finishing Line Press, A Friendly Little Tavern Somewhere Near the Pleiades. Read other articles by Buff.