Standing in the Lay-Away Line at a Florida Walmart

It’s seventy degrees outside
while at Walmart the Christmas music plays
for those standing in line at the lay-away counter
looking in their checkbooks
mentally figuring out if they have enough
to pay for the children’s gifts
and next month’s rent
while on a giant flat Samsung screen
streaming news of impeachment and murder
a struggle lacking a name
taking place before our eyes
in the halls of power, streets and schools
as police choke a cigarette seller
and armed children kill each other
while bloodied teens, arms linked
stand still, lighting candles, carry signs
as those at Walmart wait in lines
to purchase gifts they can ill afford.
When did we begin to hate our neighbors
take our guns to the movies
fear the future and one another?
Which day was it when the sun set on our best days;
days when we ran free
not worrying about the future;
when we truly loved our country
because we didn’t know any better?