The Struggles of a Middle Class Man
A survival story — free verse
Middle class man
dreams on high
social ladder climbing
as high as the sky
Middle class man
searching for the trick
looking for the easy way
carrot on the stick
but the stick is long
long above the reach
keep reaching Middle class man
motivational videos preach
Middle class man
stayed out of trouble in his youth
college education took up his youth
walking in mid-town many subway stops from home
walking through crowds with earbuds
student loan balance on the phone
Middle class man
arrives at one building in the skyline of many
up the elevator to the one cubicle of many
doing the tasks required of the many
on his desk is a reminder of why he is there
a framed picture of Wife and Kids, so dear
a reminder of the reason he puts up with the office jerk
To provide for those in the framed picture, now get to work
Middle class man
your lunch you forgot to pack
the restaurant across the street has the food you lack
it’s lunchtime and you are there
looking out the window your eyes show despair
for you look out and see
mindless men and women
Are they like me?
Eyes of a removed soul
robots walking to and fro
No one really knows
if their life will ever count
as lifelong dreams take a backseat to the amount
of the cost to live a daily life
causing stress and pain throughout one’s life
Middle Class man
you look out from the restaurant
with a tear falling from your eye
as you ask why
did a life full of promise turn this way
you know your Wife feels the same way
the pathetic life you lead, your dreams a hinderin’
life beat the romance out of you
just doing it for the children
To give them the same future you have now
a cycle that has to break somehow
Oh Middle class man
you earn a good salary
but Uncle Sam loves a good salary
Your mortgage loves a good salary
the minivan you didn’t want loves a good salary
your kids depend on your good salary
that Porsche you always wanted but can’t obtain right now
requires a greater salary
Middle class man
finish your lunch
lunch hour is up
and as you look up
to the building that holds your employment
that sucks the life out of your enjoyment
wipe the tear
pay the check
cross the street
and get to work
© copyright by Clarence Chavis, all rights reserved
