HELLO FROM VENICE BEACH

by, Marty Liboff

Hello, it’s me-

I’m homeless on Venice Beach

sleepin in shit & pee.

Hello, can you hear me?

I’m in California dreamin

about who we used to be-

when we were younger & free

I’ve forgotten how it felt before

when I had a home & money.

So hello from the other side-

I felt like I died a 1000 times

I’m sorry for everything I’ve done

but the cops treat me like I’m scum.

Hello from the outside-

at least I can say I tried

but America doesn’t give a fuck about the poor

it clearly doesn’t tear them apart anymore.

Hello, how are you?

I’m starving and cold on Venice Beach-

there’s no jobs and homes are 6 million dollars

yuppies step over the sick & dying and laugh

while a madman hollers.

Hello, all the city funds go to jails, cops, courts, politicians & pensions

the poor and sick they don’t care

and the rich only care about their mansions.

Hello from the outside

at least I can say I tried

but America doesn’t give a fuck about the poor

it clearly doesn’t tear them apart anymore…

anymore…anymore…