In Tears

A young African American woman
in tears
for she now realizes
that the $500 of tax refund
she thought she was going to get
was all a big mistake.

And no matter how
I sugar coat that
an error has been made,
the $500 has vanished
or never really was there.

"Honey, I think this is right.
You are not entitled to a refund.
It was a mistake.
I'm sorry."

A young woman in tears,
and I too feel helpless,
me an old white guy,
helpless? Not really.

Not as much as she.