Flat Broke

I cautioned when signing those cheques

Not to cash them until Wednesday next

Un-heeded, my warning

They bounced Monday morning

and now I've been charged NSF

While conscious of my obligation:

provide the agreed compensation

You own your own home

Must be nice not to roam

Combing streets seeking safe habitation

I'm sure you've got your troubles, too

Of those who have none there are few

But a man who buys land

hawking old rope can anticipate

that the weight of their gains will accrue

Though you may have worked hard to obtain

Hollow dreams sold to you to maintain

Mass corrupt classist systems

You too are a victim

Deserving both pity and blame

For a hard day's work once was fulfilling

And paired with luck could mean a killing

That bed of fake roses

Thrust under our noses

Just shows us, however, how grossly unwilling

Are blind men who sit in high towers

To nurture the blooming of flowers

Replacing our wages

With snake oil and cages

Assuages ill-gains and false powers

So yes, I am late on my rent

And for that I sincerely repent

But when you punish me

For your failed empathy

You misdirect your malcontent

As painstaking as it may be, you see,

to wait for the date upon which we agreed

to collect your exorbitant fee

You're tapping a sap-barren tree.

My paycheque's the same

No matter who you blame

Go complain to the powers that be

P.S.

We still don't have hot water