JUSTICE AND INJUSTICE OF LIFE

I knew a man who grew up poor
in a small town in rural America.His parents worked hard and provided
but they still struggled.
This man was molested when he was little
and harassed while at school.
He walked through life with his head down,
his shoulders curled,
and a frown upon his lips.

No one knew his hardships.
No one knew what he faced.
And when he arrived to adulthood
he was called lazy
all because he, too, was poor.
Working two jobs and odd jobs
he struggled.
Making near minimum wage
in a city is hell.
Living his life, he thought, was hell.
And when he finally thought
he got his break,
got his girl,
and got his life settled
he became ill.

You see, when you’re in America
and don’t have money,
paying bills is a struggle,
living is a struggle,
and even dying, too, is a struggle.

He died three months later
in a small house
in a small town
surrounded by no one.
Not even me.

By Gary R. Hess.
BRIGHT DREAMS JOURNAL
https://brightdreamsjournal.com/justice-in-life-by-gary-r-hess-a-slam-poem/