“The Pure Products of America”: Twenty-First Century Edition
Michael Ceraolo
As they boarded the bus because
they were clearly too young to drive,
they made sure to flash a large wad of cash
at the same time that they ostentatiously
fumbled for a quarter to complete the fare
Having nowhere to go but in a hurry to get there,
they were notably noisy during the ride,
calling the driver and other passengers names
from the safety of the back of the bus
When they got off the bus
they signaled their low expectations
with great expectorations
Dissed daily based on bigotry,
scorned for their style when in substance
they are the ones who have most
fully absorbed the majority’s values
