I am resharing a poem
"WHAT I SAW TODAY AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY
OFFICE"
by Judy Joy Jones
today at
the social security
office down the street
i did see
a man shaking so badly
he couldn’t stand
telling everyone
he just got out of jail
and needed a hand
he had no teeth
and looking in his eyes
i could see he was in a place
few on earth see
and the young woman
weighing over 300 pounds
talking on the phone
bout her daddy
who beat her so badly
they came and took her away
when she was only three
and now she lived
in shelters
or on the streets
with her baby in hand
begging for a place
they could sleep
the couple
who didnt
speak english
looking into space
refusing to accept
they too were
part of this place
a man and wife
nodding off
from their heroin shots
he holding her upright
so the security guard
wouldnt make them leave
while they drifted
in and out
of their opium dreams
waiting to get
welfare relief
and the elderly man
who was alone
but seemed to know
from his peaceful face
this was not his true home
and we were
all pilgrims
just passing thru
this temporary place
the woman
yelling at the guards
she wanted to see
a clerk now
and would fight
anyone who got in her way
why in god’s name
she cried
did they put her
last in line
the guards looked happy
getting ready
to bully anyone
who stepped outta line
but noone in this place
had the strength
to even fight
and all they had left
were broken dreams
of what they
could have been
if only
the guards jobs
were finished each day
before work began
not one person
struggled with them
past a few nasty words
sighing they
would go
back to their posts
knowing the people
had been beaten down
by life
and they would never
have the great fights
they dreamed of every night
while watching
cops and robbers on tv
and the tattooed woman
a snake on her face
with spiders and lizards
covering her arms and legs
i looked at everyone
soaking in their pain
and knew once again
they were me and I them
no one was above
or below another
we were all
in the same dream
a super clear mirror
did i see today
at the society security office
down the street
c jj 2023
Coronado Times Judy Joy Jones
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They closed the SSI Office near my home. There used to be long lines there and I recall going there with my partner one time and waiting in line until they told us we just had to give the paperwork to the guards. While others would stand outside in the midday sun for three or four hours.
I don't know where people go now. But with the cutbacks, they probably will have to go further than ever to actually meet with people to get their business done. Online works for only those with online services. I recall getting my Social Security by simply making a phone call. It is much harder now.
Ron