High-Fructose Corn Syrup

corn-fed was
a compliment once
for farm-strong boys
from Midwest homes
but now we know
it leads to rotten teeth
and brittle bones
(ever since the advent
of high-fructose)
poverty in the city
always meant malnutrition
but in the country
you could live off the land
at least until the harvest failed
and the fish stocks dropped
and the great white ship
of the poor house set her sails
it's worse than a sandstorm
that you weathered
the Dust Bowl led
to the birth of the Food Desert
where the bodega is the only oasis
an ultra-processed convenience
under fluorescence
and you're only
as freshly-fed
as the best by
date says

eighty percent
of the country
thinks we're better off
with a larger lower class
but only a quarter of us
want to join it
we beat the bushes
with our blistered belief
that all who work hard
can match the rich
but the price of entry
is stepping on fingers
up the ladder we all have to climb
you'll soon find someone
to take up your time
outsource thoughts and prayers
for those left behind
as you make up
your mind
to mime

~ ~ ~

April 19, 2025
Barss Corner, Nova Scotia

Year 18, Day 6369 of my daily journal.