Reigning Champions of the Rust Belt

Three poems portraying the struggles of the "Rust Belt" region of the United States.

Indecision

My tax money keeps going in
Nothing is all I get
I tell myself I have freedom
I know I am their pet

I know I am not a bigot
But I still nod my head
I know I was an immigrant
But I still need my bread

I guess I will vote Democrat
I guess I will vote Democrat
He's better than an autocrat

They preach an honorable cause
So they must have a point
How bad can the same people be
That lets me smoke a joint

I think they were given a chance
And it fell through their hands
I think Gitmo should've shut down
And an arms trading ban

I guess I will vote Democrat
I guess I will vote Democrat
He's better than a plutocrat
(End)

China Girl

When is sunset? This day's too long
When will sun set? I can't wait long
To feel the safety of where I belong

Her warming hug
Her warming hug
Who wouldn't want to taste her love?

But it's not night so I can't see her yet
Going through the motions 'til I can see her yet
My duties, my station, I solemnly regret

My legs ache from all this work
My back breaks from all this work
I can't sit still when I sit down because I think of her

My China girl
My China girl
Who wouldn't want to feel her whirl?
(End)

Being You

In the shining city around
On every silent school ground
And the growing ghetto compound
Don't know what they're gonna do now

Drowning brains with cups of barley
Alone they wail with the banshee
They look for signs they are worthy
When they go to their next party

You're better off just being you
Your happy facade is see-through
Your whole life you'll want to undo
You're better off just being you

Perry prayed to live in Japan
Terry tried to be a news man
But for money, their hearts gave in
Abandon all past ambitions

Leaving their dreams at the doormat
Future secure, their life is set
Growing up just to be stagnant
Paying student loans and their rent

You're better off just being you
Your happy facade is see-through
Your whole life you'll want to undo
You're better off just being you

Find the one to make you complete
And give you standards you can't meet
But you feel like you can compete
So you raise a little athlete

He goes off and comes back again
He talks about all of his plans
You see the man you could have been
Crack a cold one; drink 'til you're thin

You're better off just being you
Your happy facade is see-through
Your whole life you'll want to undo
You're better off just being you
(End)