March Poetry Monday

The poetry editor is taking a break this month, but will be back with a new featured poet or poets for April Poetry Month.  Meanwhile, here’s something that may be of interest (no pun intended):

 

                                      In Extremis

                                         The system was designed for plain vanilla
                                         loans, and we were trying to push
                                         chocolate sundaes through the gears.

                                                              –Marc Gott, a former director in
                                                             Fannie Mae’s loan servicing
                                                             department, 2008
                                              

                                               In the time of the great melt,
                                               chocolate dripping down our chins, we reach

                                               for metaphor, shout I- told- you-so’s
                                               at anyone still listening

                                               or reading.  Congress, pundits,
                                               our crazed selves. The booboisie

                                               hanging from rafters and the balconies
                                               of high-rise derivatives.

                                               With all the Twittering, the happening
                                               came on without our noticing.

                                               Trumpish, we’re stumped.  Billions,
                                               trillions tumble from our coffers.

                                               Drowning in debt, we say.  Up to our ears
                                               filled with merry ka-chings.  Like kings

                                               we bestride until our legs and hearts,
                                               bibles, guns and bombs give out.

                                               Shrapnel from Wall Street …
                                               another headline cries.

                                                                                                    
                                                                         Irene Willis