L. M. Flowers

Stockton, CA, USA

L. M. has been writing poetry since the late eighties. She is a retired social worker. Her goal is to write short stories for children. She has traveled extensively--West Africa, Canada, a Belgium, Vermont, Nebraska, Washington State, and all over California. L.M. has a Masters in Public Administration. She says, "that the poetic expression is an art form which should be shared with others." Her work can be found in The National Library of Poetry collections.

The Diet Riot

To diet is a riot, on a diet this week off again the next;
That is the craze of the nineties.
Get that Slim-Fast
Drink it down and make it last and
Forget your eating habits of the past.
Richard Simmons says stretch and jump
Your way to a slim waist line,
My my, aren't we doing just fine!
Now, there is Jenny Craig who promises that
If you purchase her food and eat it good
You'll lost weight just like you should!
And then there is the Cyclone Zone
A cross country trainer and that's a no brainer.
Finally, from liquid drinks, jumping jacks,
Packaged food and exercise machines.
I still say that to diet is a riot!

Homeless In The Land Of The Free

Sleeping under bridges, sleeping under vacated work places,
Sleeping in abandoned apartment houses;
That are no longer safe for Humans.
Not just any Humans but, Americans!!
Who are these Americans?
Many would have us to believe that they are all Vagrants, "druggies" or street people
Who find this kind of life style convenient and useful.

Ha, I say let that fellow find his or her own way,
They should have kept a job and paid their bills
Alas, they are part of societies ills.

To many this issue is a joke,
As they laugh at the fellow who has just gone broke.
Besides, it is not our fault they say:
It's the government's problem anyway!

It is not our problem that the plants are shrinking
And closing down and that many a person is homeless bound!

Let the welfare offices open wide
Let the shelters give "these people" a place to run and hide..
The safety net is there for all who want it,
The system works if only you try!!

So, go on out there, and lay your head down on that cold park bench,
Or curl up in some dark alley and cover your nose to avoid the stench!

Now "you people" be patient and try to understand
That we don't have any easy answers near at hand.
Unfortunately, we all have to wait and see
How many more Americans will fall homeless in the land of the free!!