The American Dream

A poem from my book, 'Hollow Trophies for Howling Idiots'.

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The American Dream

There are other mountains
there are other seas
and it’s all still so
unfamiliar to me

We’ve got it all in
the greatest of lands
but as much as I work
I can’t meet its demands

And finally, now, the
collective malaise
to labor for love
and leave without pay

I don’t understand
the American Dream
if I can’t hike its mountains
nor swim through its streams

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I’m Scott; an author and musician living in South Florida. I write poetry, short fiction, and personal essays. If you enjoyed reading this poem, please consider sharing it and subscribing to my page.

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Copyright © 2026 by Scott E. Crain. All rights reserved. Permission to use this work for commercial purposes requires written consent from the copyright owner.