A Life Unraveled

As I watched President Obama sign the tax compromise bill into law today, I couldn't help but think of the many unemployed people who will receive no further help. I'm talking about the group known as the 99ers. Even though the new law extends the eligibility for existing federal unemployment programs for 13 months, it doesn't add any additional tiers of compensation for those who have already collected the maximum benefits. They are left to fend for themselves. I wrote this verse with these unfortunate people in mind.

A Life Unraveled

All his life he worked so hard
To build a better life
Made sacrifices just to please
His children and his wife

And just as he was reaching
His precious golden years
He lost his job and had to face
The worst of all his fears

And searching for employment
His savings dwindled down
Despite his desperate efforts
Employment was not found

And everything unraveled
Through no fault of his own
He wept himself to sleep each night
So weary and alone

And when the unemployment checks
Were gone forever more
A once great proud provider
Took his place among the poor

And now he begs for handouts
And wonders every day
How this could have happened
In his precious U.S.A.


Steven Pein
17 December 2010
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