By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2025

First published in Literary Yard (July 4, 2025 Issue)

Watching The Grapes of Wrath,
pondering the journey,
of all the real-life Joads…
who blazed our westward path;

Witnessing the heartbreak
and anger near L.A.,
scenes of fires raging —  
stunned sadness on display;

I recalled the last scene,
as the Joads rode away,
as her husband longed
for their home far away.

With strength in every word,
compassion for the poor,
Ma Joad spoke from the heart,
with wisdom deeply stored:

“We’re the people that live.
Can’t nobody wipe us out.”
Amen, to the people —
resettling, without doubt.