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Open Poetry #42
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Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2008-02-10 12:40 PM


It’s cold and wet
out in the street.  

Felix and his friends
are beating on the door
of the settlement house.  

It’s nice and warm in there.  

They can dry out,
play basketball,
and box up in the gym.  

It’s a good safe place to be.

The door opens.  
A cop stands there,
he tells the kids to go home.  

The settlement house is closed.  

The mayor’s cut settlement houses
out of his budget.  

He wants to hire more cops,
and buy more police equipment
like hand cuffs.  

Bobby

© Copyright 2008 Robert E. Jordan - All Rights Reserved
effjayel
Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474
At the Crossroads of Infinity
1 posted 2008-02-10 12:46 PM


....But the Mayor is going to need all those extra cops to catch the troublemakers that that have increased now they no longer have the settlement house to go to...no?
Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2 posted 2008-02-10 12:55 PM


John,

I'm sure that's what the Mayor has in mind.

Bobby

effjayel
Senior Member
since 2007-09-30
Posts 1474
At the Crossroads of Infinity
3 posted 2008-02-10 01:24 PM


That figures, sounds like the Mayor of London...his plan was called the congestion charge & here is how it works. You charge people to come into London which raises funds so that more people can be employed to go to the outskirts of London & fine folks for having the audacity to park outside the city to avoid paying the congestion charge.......and they think they will get re elected when the time comes to put an 'X' in the box.....  I vote  Felix for Mayor
passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
4 posted 2008-02-10 01:40 PM


well that's politics for ya

Felix should open his own settlement house.

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5 posted 2008-02-10 01:42 PM


Yes John, that sounds pretty awful.

Bobby

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural
6 posted 2008-02-10 01:47 PM


Another wonderful part of the story!



ARCTIC WIND

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
7 posted 2008-02-10 02:06 PM


Don't you just wish you could fix everything for the Felixes in this world!!!

Another emotional segment in the continuing story of his life.


Linda

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8 posted 2008-02-10 03:52 PM


Passing shadows,

Felix indeed would like to.  He’s an old settlement house boy from way back.

Bobby

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9 posted 2008-02-10 03:53 PM


Artic Wind,

Thanks for your comment.  I'm pleased it worked for you.

Bobby

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10 posted 2008-02-10 03:55 PM


Earth Angel,

Indeed, I wish I could.  Being politically active here in Philadelphia, I am working on it.

Bobby

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
11 posted 2008-02-10 04:47 PM


Shows the importance of voting as elected officials have their priorities which may or maynot be the ones you want...James
Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
12 posted 2008-02-10 05:08 PM


James,

Absolutely correct.  I generally vote straight "D".  Please note that I did not vote for the Mayor depicted in this poem.  I voted for his "R" opponent.

I vote, campaign, and petition for most every election.

Bobby

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
13 posted 2008-02-10 05:11 PM


Authorities often make decisions that really make no sense.

In this case, if they close the settlement house, they should have thought of alternatives that could keep off the street these young boys like Felix!

You bring so many things to our attention, dear Bobby! Good to hear you are active in politics. Your experience will be very precious.

love
Margherita

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
14 posted 2008-02-10 05:22 PM


Margherita,

Unfortunately, the present Mayor promised to lower taxes.  He apparently intends to do it by eliminating many badly needed social services.

Bobby

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
15 posted 2008-02-14 05:39 AM


I don't really know what a settlement house is Bobby?  is it like a council house that the government provides people who don't have enough money?  I would let Felix visit me any day ... love RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Bobby Jordan
Member
since 2007-08-13
Posts 491
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 posted 2008-02-14 09:38 AM


Dear RDB,

A settlement house is similar to a council house, as you describe it.  The settlement house in question was Beth Eden Settlement House.  It was run by a church here in Philly.  It was a great place to have fun.  They used to take us swimming, to the shore, and they had a gym where you could play basketball.  It was a fun place.

Beth Eden was torn down about 1962 to make way for I-95 super highway.

Bobby

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