Deflation—The Poem

Deflation’s become
The Fed’s new concern,
Prices are sinking
They say they discern.
But ‘bout this new thinking
I’m way out ahead,
In deflation’s cold realms
I‘ve long had to tread.

My whole life’s deflated
It’s lost its old puff,
What used to be easy
Has now gotten tough.
By a host of deep downturns
I have been beset,
The only thing rising
Is my credit debt.

My salary’s frozen
For hard cash I’m strapped,
The kid’s school tuition
My last savings sapped.
The pension I thought
Would make old age less weighty,
Has gone up in smoke
Now I’ll work ‘til I’m eighty.

Returns on my stocks
Range from awful to middling,
My bond dividends
Are so small they are piddling.
My home’s equity
Has been tapped and been spent,
Now instead of a mortgage
I wish I paid rent.

We need not debate it
I’ll come out and state it
My dreams have abated
To worry I’m mated
On thin ice I skated
And got what was fated
I’m crushed and deflated
And boy do I hate it.

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© Michael Silverstein