From Precarity to Stability: A Poetic Reflection #1837

From Precarity to Stability: A Poetic Reflection In a land of dreams, prosperity and light, Seven in ten feared the endless night, A single paycheck stood as a fragile thread, Between a home’s embrace and the street instead. In the heart of wealth, where golden gates gleam, The Bay’s streets tell of a broken dream, Thousands seek shelter beneath the stars, In the shadows of mansions, behind gilded bars. Inflation’s breath, a constant, cruel tide, Pushing the weary to the edge, to the side, Income’s divide, a widening rift, Leaves many adrift, with no anchor to lift. The pandemic storm, a relentless gale, Stripped away security, turned calm seas pale, Temporary aid, a fleeting reprieve, Now gone, leaving many to grieve. Housing so scarce, the costs so high, Dreams of stability start to die, Gentrification's march displaces the poor, Leaving them stranded on life’s cold floor. Mental health, a silent, aching cry, Substance's grip, a shadowed sigh, Barriers rise, to shelter and care, Leaving hope tangled in despair. Yet, on the horizon, change may loom, Policies to brighten the gloom, Affordable housing, a beacon bright, Zoning reforms to end the night. Support services, a lifeline cast, Healing wounds of the present and past, Community’s heart, beating strong, Together we stand, where we belong. From precarity to stability, a journey we chart, With compassion and courage, we play our part, In the land of dreams, we forge a new way, Where no one fears the break of day. -Steven G. Lee (June 20, 2024)