The EBT Man by Kathy Brocks
05/29/2013 Poetry Wednesday

There’s nothing in the fridge
all the can goods are gone
disappointment seems etched
in my woman’s eyes

My son needs a lunch for school
I got lent in my pockets

The easy game could get me killed
or locked away til my kid’s a man

The church sends me to public aide for food stamps
its high tech now, like a debit card
but its blue and yellow, so everybody knows you’re broke

disappointment, shame and frustration crowds my chest
Men, work Lord
How did I get in this mess
Lord pull me out of this financial hell

The cashier says, “Your total is…will that be cash, debit or EBT card?”