day EIGHT HUNDRED and FIFTY ONE

TO BE HEARD

The rich man may speak softly,

politely, sound benevolent,

and still be heard

as he passes the cash

beneath the table -

The poor man must shout

and bang at the table

to be heard

not once

but over and over again

until the table shatters

and the machinations

of the rich are exposed,

the corruption made clear

the greed in their hearts

loosed at last to speak

louder

than their quiet, hollow

words would ever allow -

then will we be heard -

--M.J. Arcangelini