Some People Say

Some people say
They have not suffered
And in truth they may not have;
We have
And know what it feels
To endure the pain of deprivation,
The harsh reality of poverty
Seeking to throttle us;
Choking, coughing, crying blood,
Sweat, bile, hate -
Passioned heaving;
We try to adjust our thoughts
To hope for a better nation,
A richer economy in a stable polity.
Even America that now glories
Of all the world
Once too was poor.