The Chokes*

Dry and crusty
Filled with government
Issued protein slices
Flocked to out of
Routine for feeding
Time - a time relied on
Reliably delivered daily
Without question or
Judgment - judged by
What is lacking -
Has lacked due to
Birthing order... the
Order of the lives
Choking...
"Life without decency is
Unbearable..."* choking
On the chokes, choked
Down without as much as
A glass of water... and, yet
With gratitude and eagerness
As many days as they were
Delivered and not on a
Silver platter - just dis-
Played in the hands of a
Public servant - a requirement
Of the job - choking back
Tears, often delivering the
Only good news or meal
They'll see... for the longest.





*quote from the movie, Albert Nobbs.