When in the Course of Human Events

by deb y felio

The children are suffering in filthy conditions

and illnesses run rampant,

not enough soap for sanitation

or water to even damp it.

It’s the President’s fault the Congress cries

The situation’s a shame,

The President says extra money’s denied

and that’s why nothing can change.

It isn’t our fault everyone can agree,

they were told it was very very bad

to cross the borders with families,

there were no other choices we had

but to separate and denigrate,

treat these illegals as possible criminals

so young ones we’ll incarcerate

in terror unimaginable. 

Adults are bussed back to the border

without knowing where children are held

and no plan in place to manage disorder

or reunite them when fears are dispelled.

Now more than a year and numbers increase

and minimal requirements disappear

for standards of care and hopes for peace —

increased profits keep it all here.

For though they insist the budget runs short

there’s big money being made

by those who create these prison forts

with accountability hidden in shade.

We regret we have to reject all manner 

of donations to make lives more practical.

It’s not allowed, they continue to yammer,

and might not even be ethical

to accept from private citizens

what could be conceived as a bribe

diapers, brushes and soap for the denizen

whose basic needs have been denied.

Call your government representatives,

but they already know

you’re more concerned with argumentative

finger pointing just for show.

So be surprised, pretend disgust

at the reports of what is and has been,

then soon other news will settle this dust,

and we’ll move on again.