The Great Divide

The Great Divide

If Evil Knievel tried to jump the economic chasm
      between the rich and the poor,
      he would end up in a puff of smoke
      at the bottom of the canyon where
      the middle class is being interred.
If Harry Houdini tried to break the shackles of oppression
      that tethers the underclass to earth’s crust,
      his audience would throw tomatoes at him.
If Bozo the Clown asked for food for the needy
      his 600 counterparts on Capitol Hill would give him
      the cold shoulder (any way you cook it, it tastes awful)
As the bandwagon of runaway capitalism rushes madly
      toward the precipice of sudden death,
      or, as the media tells it, the horizon of infinite
      opportunity, the performers in this circus pause to discuss
      the breakup of a notable teen couple
      while the fat lady adjusts her sheet music.
Not even Superman can save this sorry bunch,
      for his cape has been recalled,
      his belt can no longer wrap around
      his distended waistline,
      and his X-ray vision prescription
      is no longer covered by his HMO.

© M.Levine 2006

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