The Country Sustains Life

Photograph: Sharron R. McMillan

Cities sustain cities,
but the country sustains life.

Let those who care for things,
congregate where things rule;
enclosed in reserves called cities,
penned in cages called apartments.

Thinking they are free to come and go
they always return before nine every morning,
giving the best part of their days
to labour undone while they sleep
and done again the next day
by someone else.

Indebted to those who guard them
they never try to escape
while promises of prizes, big prizes-
for just one hopeful dollar,

sets them dreaming of the day
money will be theirs
and they will quit this life
and move to the country.

©Sharron R. McMillan