Making Agonizing Choices

An American tragedy.

Making Agonizing Choices

 

By Elton Camp

 

It’s a fact about which many are unaware

But there are millions of examples out there

 

Old people who aren’t able to hold a job

But struggle not to let it their dignity rob

 

Long ago gone is their modest nest egg

And they’d rather die than have to beg

 

Their Social Security checks are too small

Much they need, they can’t afford at all

 

They must decide how their funds are spent

Shall it be for food or should I pay the rent

 

And medical care they are forced to forgo

To pay the cost, they don’t have the dough

 

In winter to stay in bed by night and day

Since for a high heating bill they can’t pay

 

Meat once in a while they would find nice

But they must get by with beans and rice

 

No hope of better can most of them see

Until death mercifully sets them free