Another Year

Another Year

Another year has come and gone.
My dreams are shelved in hopes of change --
I may win a lottery perhaps,
or cash in with foreign exchange.

I thought I’d have a breakthrough; but,
I lacked the guts, or had excess fear.
Whatever, it’s all just the same,
the same old shit, another year.

I still haven’t cowered the bear,
Or taken the bull by the horns.
I’ve been indecisive, unsure.
Recession, the government warns.

The economy upsets me.
I think, ’what am I going to do?’
To do nothing is still a choice.
The government may pull us through.

Nonsense, there’s not a chance of that.
The rich get richer and hold the power;
Come election the leader throws crumbs
then becomes the man of the hour.

There must be a simpler way,
to be master of my destiny –
to sow the seeds and harvest crops --
the provider for my family.

There's unemployment, housing crisis -
my life is now too complicated.
Another Monday here too soon.
Another year to be frustrated.

I'm very proud to announce that this poem was awarded Honorable Mention in the "51st Traditional Poetry Contest" for February, 2009.

Thanks Monty