A dry and warm house is a huge deal.
I think about when I learned the basic needs
In school–water, food, shelter. To feel
Accepted–that was a biggie. A person succeeds
Because she works hard, right? With the right
Amount of gumption and elbow grease, she
Can pull her bootstraps and weight, fight
Off any hardship here in the land of no free
Lunches (no such thing). Come January One
I’m reading renters with no cash or jobs
Will see their beds, clothes, and photos done
The service of a sidewalk escort and unturnable doorknobs.
Please tell me how in the place we find each other
We who could help say, “Am I keeper of my brother?”
