Down to the Dust (audio added) Options

[RC James]

audio take on the poem


https://soundcloud.com/rc-james-user841120068/z0000227


Ain’ nuthin’ left here ‘cep
six uv us an’ dry stahks ‘a corn.
We’re up ta movin west
soon as I sort out the T-Ford.
Jenny, ma wife, is set to
have anuther to make us seven.
Got some taters an’ dry beans
in the root cellah, but not much
beyon’ that, relyin’ on the Lord
to provide a way through the storm.
Ah’m proud of the chilren, they got
a strenth beyon’ anything I known.
When jedgement day comes it won’
be no surprise, we alreddy been jedged
an’ been found holdin’ the strenth
of spirits who can survive culamity
and beyond, way beyond what we thought
we could hold in that handful of dust.

[Psyche]

Hi RC,

This poem is so sad. I'm incapable of suggesting any changes. No point in removing or putting Caps or commas, as it's so evident that the speaker is of a lowly status, country man, probably affected by drought and low prices.

Not implying that he's not wise. He knows where his life and family may be heading.

I just read a long article about the record number of homeless people in New York City right now. I was shocked! No idea that N.Y. is like that now. Thought it had been solved.

And another one about how extremely poor single mothers are evicted by their landlords in many states. Over and over again. Mostly black, but not all. They have to move into shelters with rows and rows of beds, shared toilets and a dining-room. During the day they have to go outside...The shelters are made 'invisible', no signs or names by the entries. They're aided to get jobs, but the queues are so long that they give up. Live on welfare, which adds another black mark to their personal record...a circle they can't get out of.

So is your poem realistic? Is that how things are now? In what area would that be?

Thought provoking piece. Once again, you've deftly put yourself inside another's skin.

Syl