THE GREAT DIVIDE

It’s not by choice that I am here
Among the thorns, I lay my head
Led of fire, piercing the air
To walk the streets,
I must play truth or dare.

The cost of living is sky-high
Two different worlds in the great divide 
One sleeps secure behind towering walls 
The other must fight the dogs for the crumb that falls.

They have given me a zip code where I must live
To cross that divide is prohibited 
A Social Security number that reflects my gender and kind 
Another tool of control, in the great divide 

Work hard and assert yourself to achieve the dream 
But in my dreams, each night I scream 
Raise the minimum wage and lower the cost of healthcare 
But in the great divide, no one cares.

Wilford Barker.