Poets' Corner

The destitute are shunned by society,

Artists capture their melancholy,

And the rich revel in the imagery.

 

The pattern is unstoppable,

To celebrate their plight would be improper,

But their existence cannot be overlooked, 

Nor should it be taken for granted.

 

Artisans are voices for the poor,

But their messages are ignored.

Only the people who rise above poverty are celebrated,

Those who fall into it are scorned.

 

Like a painting, a photo, or a poem, 

Welfare programs do nothing for the poor.

They are high-priced crutches designed to keep the impoverished at a distance,

And they give the Haves a selfish excuse to isolate the Have-Nots.