Hashtag Cali

Pessimistic, I know

I took to California like a wildfire in the rain; 

Trader Joes could not make up for  

Blistering skin in drying heat 

Or traffic gnawing at my insanity. 

Kept intact by THC. 

Inflation hit the farmers hard. 

Or was that tomato kissed by God? 

“I’d never live where there’s tornados.” 

But you have PTSD from the fires. 

Smoke is my new filter. 

Hashtag Cali 

Hashtag global warming. 

I went to the woods 

To live deliberately 

Along with thousands of others  

Who wanted to suck out that same marrow. 

So I’m waiting in line in my car. 

And I’m waiting in line in the store. 

And I’m waiting to breathe fresh clear air. 

And I’m waiting to get out of here. 

Reviews

[Arundass TP]

A tragic experience while going through lines. Beautiful poem.