Don’t talk to me about values
about love
about kindness

You who are about
civility
niceness
politeness
tact
courtesy
and the parks that look nice when people drive by

But not about meeting needs–

They just go place to place, getting more (as if anyone gives enough?)
But we do help our own.
They will just go and buy more wine
more drugs
more booze
and things not on the approved list of what houseless people “need.”

They are just saying the electric bill is due
But they will just spend the cash on lottery tickets.

Sadly, it is easier to hope on luck and scratch-offs
than in you.
Bless your heart.

(inspired by Lucille Clifton’s Cruelty)