Over there are rides and such,
but here are the barns and displays.
4-H sheep, goats, rabbits, and cows
The spinners and weavers.
Photographers.
Prizes for craftwork.
Mini-doughnuts and fresh squeezed lemonade.
Local talent on stage: kids dancing,
dreamers singing.
We stand at our assigned gate, and stamp arms
so folks can get back in later.
You don’t talk to me
I don’t talk to you.
That’s fair.
For centuries
you were either rich or poor.
You had lots of power or none.
Until the merchant class
developed.
They educated their children,
and the middle class
evolved.
Now a minuscule percent of the population
holds the majority of the wealth, and the middle class
is crumbling.
The rich fight to grab
more and more wealth,
more and more power.
They fight to destroy
public education
and the health system
with elitist ideas about
who deserves what.
Sharing is better
than hoarding.
Spreading wealth
makes society better for all.
Teach everyone.
Heal everyone.
Crime goes down.
Life improves for everyone.
The feudal system
is futile.
Shawn L. Bird 