By Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes
Leading Economic Indicator (Part II)
Half a dozen nights
before Christmas
bank robbers
breaking into sound sleep
repossessing
cars
On the fourth eve
the owner:
A full-time single mother
working three part-time jobs
blocks a gargoyle truck
with baby dangling arms
pleads to headlights on high beam
She isn’t trying to save herself
from being downsized
to unreliable buses
in king automobile’s
sprawling metropolis
she begs for her daughter’s doll
locked in the backseat
Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended Herbert Hoover High School and went on to study Religion and Theology at the University of San Diego. His book Intimate Geography, published by Ragged Sky Press, won the 2012 San Diego Book Award for Poetry. Ish, as he is known, has also written lyrics for German musicians Andrea Hörkens and Thomas Roderburg (Tender Art).
Latest posts by Ishmael von Heidrick-Barnes (see all)
- Word’s Out | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 14, 2018
- Political Love Affair | Geo-Poetic Spaces - December 7, 2018
- Deer Tracks | Geo-Poetic Spaces - November 30, 2018
Poetry.
Yours is fine, and tough.
I was reminded of a NY Times piece on “title loans” which offer right around
$1000 to desperate people in exchange for signing over their car, any car, no
matter what condition. The terms are: huge monthly interest payments, up to
more than 100%, that increase if you miss payments (which most people do)
And, guess what?
The loans are being funded by investment banks and financial brokerages.
And, guess what?
The cars are repossessed and one in four who take out these loans owe about
$900 at the end of the ordeal, no matter how much the desperate have already
paid in interest and principal.