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