State of the Union

by Gary Beck / January 13th, 2019

Not caring for others
has become endemic
in our troubled society
ravaged by poverty,
a growing disease
afflicting millions
at a terrible time
of diminishing opportunity
for the children of need,
deprived of services
that allow a better life,
indifference of the rich
arbitrarily condemning
so many youth
to a dismal future.

Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director and worked as an art dealer when he couldn't earn a living in the theater. He has also been a tennis pro, a ditch digger and a salvage diver. His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry, fiction and essays have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines and his published books include 40 poetry collections, 16 novels, 4 short story collections, 2 collection of essays and 8 books of plays. Gary lives in New York City. Read other articles by Gary.

This article was posted on Sunday, January 13th, 2019 at 8:02am and is filed under Poetry.