My Cardboard Balcony

Carnation Alley by Belinda Roddie A hobo grows a sunflower patch in Carnation Alley just for me, just for me, and plants the seeds of wishes under a sycamore tree, and the bumblebees all navigate from the garbage pails, where the crust of last night's pizza grows stale, and they hum a song for the guy who got shanked here on Tuesday, under a sycamore tree.

"You're not considering the welfare of the people." "Welfare? Bah! Welfare is for lazy people." "Not the welfare program, you dolt. The people's welfare. Their conditions." The Chancellor was not amused by any of his advisor's words. He reclined back on his green cushioned chair and lit a cigar. "What else would you have me do?" he demanded. "I can't save or cure everyone's suffering." "No," said his advisor, "but you can definitely try a little harder."