Broken Bell

People stand in line for
some broke-ass bell,
Some symbol for some
Broke racist country, liberty or some such something
Rebelling against the Lords because they are far away
And you can make more money not paying the king,
ya got all kinds-a people in line,
West Coast kids with long hair and hats,
Indian student flirting with her boyfriend,
The business women talking of partying and some Guatemalan guy
she thinks is sexy,
The exhibit shows pictures of a solemn First Nation chief,
Ghanian delegations, the Dalai Lama, Thomas Edison,
all visiting the broke-ass bell, and they even got one
of Nelson Mandela, cuz he stands for something free,
And they gave him an award or something.

When you're poor, what's it mean to be free?
That bell don't even ring.

People stand in line for some
Stale-ass bread,
Some pity for some
Broke alcoholic, addiction or some such something,
Reeling from the disillusionment/failure/loss/pain
And you can make your own escape on alms from democracies
Ya got all kinds-a people in line,
Heroin addicts with long dread locks, moms and babes,
mechanics who broke something, deportees,
Gangstas with brights colours and polished sneaks.
The young ones talking of partying,
The walls show pictures of some great long-ago saint,
Jesus with a big heart,
An American flag waves,
Waiting for some stale-ass bread
While someone speaks,
Cuz even with God lunch ain't never free,
And if you're homeless He'll give you hell or something.

When you're poor, what's it mean to be free?
Preachers all about bread and money.

People stand in gutted-home hurricanes
Soul spiritual 'soon ah will be done'
Hope amens and sings,
Sitting on the dirt street sipping sodas,
Children laughing, fearful fathers, alcoholics and
single mothers cracking jokes over a rich meal at evening.
A sad parade of clowns, orphans, saxophones, suits, holed coats,
widows in most elaborate hats
The Spirit moving,
The feast begun,

While the rich guard the doors to their sanctuary,
And guide people to their seats away from some broke-long-dead body
that once spoke 'come to me.'
A broken bell that once rang liberty.