Different Jungles
Jungle calls. Animal cries.
The screech of birds.
Treachery in the forest.
Pythons in trees.
How I long for the simple life in the city.
Gang gunfire. Ragged homeless.
Murder. Mayhem.
People in cardboard boxes
Under freeway bridges.
Give me city life any day.
It is my preferred jungle.
I live right where the Hollywood Freeway
Enters downtown.
Where is my cardboard box,
My mattress, my blanket?
Jack Clubb has had short stories published in publications such as Black Creek Review, Coffee-Ground Breakfast, The Magic of Words, Northern Stars, Opinion Magazine, Rockford Review, Sunrise, The Taylor Trust, and Voices From The Valley. He has also had several hundred poems published in the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. Jack is grateful every time an editor gives one of his poems an opportunity to sing or gives him the opportunity to tell a story as he writes feverishly from his century-old house at the foot of the Silver Lake Hills in Los Angeles.
The Lion King has your cardboard box, your mattress and blanket. I had a friend who used to live under a bridge until he put down the drink. He is a happy man now with a family.
ReplyDeleteDear Jack,
ReplyDeleteThis is a problem in our area too. People that used to have steady jobs can no longer support their families on one income. So many professionals in their 40's and 50's find themselves laid off with age against them in the job industry. Others have catastrophic health issues--my cousin's wife was hit by a bus that had it's breaks go out. She was unable to do anything for herself, had to have round the clock care, and they had 5 children--one special needs. They were lucky to have family to help out but could have lost everything. It isn't easy especially when prices for everything keep going up. This is a timely piece, one that is really becoming reality for some that never dreamed they would be in the situation. Kind of scary.
Karen
Trenchant... very nice... Terry
ReplyDeleteHello Jack. This is a very real poem with heart-felt imagery. I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete-Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
www.tgbtgpublictions.com
The imagery in this poem is certainly poignant. It makes me sad to think of so many people who are in such dire straits that they have to sleep in a cardboard box or under a bridge. Thanks for the reminder that I have lots to be grateful for.
ReplyDelete