Published:November 7th, 2010 09:37 EST

Not About You

Not About You

This isn`t about you

No

It`s about me

I was a teacher

Who was a victim of downsizing

Of consolidation

I was a construction worker

Whose company found out

It would be cheaper

To move their production

To some country

Over there somewhere

I was the secretary

Whose job was somehow defined

As muda

An unnecessary expense

Somehow though

My boss`s job was still important

I was a soldier

Who found out

That there were no jobs waiting

For someone who served their country

Then came home only half-a-man

I was a farmer

Who lost their land

When farming became a business

And there was no more room

For anything home grown

No

I am not a wino

A crackhead

Someone suffering from dementia

A sociopath

Or a bum

Believe me

I would be working every day

If I could

No

This isn`t about you

It`s about me

That`s right

Me

A person who less than a year ago

Never thought anyone would look at them

And call them

Homeless

Ed Roberts 11/05/10

Far too often we pretend security.

Far too many people understand this poem VERY well.