15 Minutes of Wealth for the Working Class
I sometimes leave for work
about 4am
drive down the alley way
turn and head south
and I often see the
whores still working they watch me drive by
I look at them as
I pass
then they keep watching
hoping for break lights
hoping to get out
of the rain for 15 minutes
and make 20 dollars for
a fix or maybe food
they are unattractive but
unafraid
or at least it would appear... they might be beautiful... a guy I
know
gets one of them sometimes
her name is Carla
and she's rail thin
and crazy
dressed in jeans that
don't fit her in anyway
sneakers and a ratty jacket
but inexpensive and willing
to go down
on a balding, overweight,
usually unbathed,
50 year old, barely employed
drunk
and for 15 minutes
there is a connection
based on need
so strong that
poverty vanishes
and law has no reason under the saddest of circumstances
this is capitalism
we are all barely employed whores
and as the sun comes up
and the night girls find
a place to rest
I start
my shift © 1998 Rik Johnson
