[Jim Moonan]

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Matt, I found it an "easy" read in that it never strays from the singular image of those who are viewed as useless by a segment of society that is, ironically, useless (to me, anyway).

The slant-rhyming throughout creates an aching for locked-in rhyme, which only contributes to the power pent in the poem.

I’m still pondering the final two lines. I didn’t expect it to make such a sharp turn toward institutionalization, or worse, nazi-like final solution. After a slew of off rhymes, the final lines have a clarion feel to them.

The glue to the poem is its surreal depiction of those who are pigeonholed by the selfish, narcissistic societies of I-Me-Mines. Alex describes it as a political poem, but that is only one stage upon which the real tragedy is played out: human hubris. The poem paints the downfallen as swine; a scourge on society vs. a reflection of it. In a word: useless.

If I were to assign the poem to be a particular depiction of reality, it is one of the moral decay that rampant consumerism and unbridled commercialism/capitalism spawns. Opportunity is not a path to fairytale endings for everyone. Free enterprise is a double-edged dull sword that can eviscerate some.

It's got some Camus in it. The "we" of the poem is a powerful voice that seems to whisper "you".

It’s a deep dive into a murky/clear pool, Matt; deep and deft and devastating.

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