Panhandlers and prostitutes
Attempt to hock their wares
Down in New Orleans
Sometimes a family affair
The businessmen object
To that element at large
Cause it runs their patrons off
No matter what they charge
The City Council intervened
Passing laws with teeth
Allowing cops to intervene
Giving laws more reach
Money passing hands
Was the ruler of the trade
Now just sheer intention
Of the objects found in play
Panhandlers and prostitutes
Just doing what they know
Trying to survive
Avoiding taxes as they go
Though it is a different thing
It parallels the same
People sending junk-mail
From their businesses maintained
Delivered to me daily
Pandering my trade
With their many offerings
And requests for money made
At the cost of growing trees
That cleans the dirty air
Junk mail delivered daily
A very routine affair
The government doesn’t stop them
Or try curtain their rights
Because they’re paying taxes
We’re left to trash our junk each night
6/29/14