Care

To care for someone
Is the ultimate expression
Of empathy for others,
Yet in America caregivers
Are paid too little for a job
Which is crucial for the
Injured, sick, old and young.
To care requires tremendous
Patience and dedication to
Those most susceptible to
Abuse, indifference and neglect.
Unless caregivers are better
Compensated, nursing and
Retirement homes, daycares,
Rehab centers and after
School programs will become
What too many Medicaid
Facilities already are,
Involuntary geriatric prisons
Where the inmates pray for
Death, beg to go home and
Are drugged into compliance
Until every last cent of their
Insurance benefits are drained
Away and they are allowed to
Go home to die.
Many Americans would rather
Skimp on caregivers pay
Than tax the rich.
“Some place to put Mom” means
More pay for caregivers; or,
Let Mom cry out all night and day
For help but no one will come.