Yellow Ribbon in Tatters

some time ago
one authority started
a yellow ribbon project
to help ex-prisoners
get a decent job
money in pockets
for a roof over their heads
and to feed their families

many years ago
once you were a prisoner
meant the end of your life
meant you were branded bad for ever
meant it was tough when you came out
as your id proclaim to all
you were an offender

a week ago
the papers
told the tale of this ex-offender
who went to prison for a small crime
came out
and in no time another authority took away his taxi driver license
saying he was no longer fit to drive one
saying he was no longer safe to society

in one swipe
in one mindless civil servant decision
they took away
his livelihood
without a care

what’s happening?
why are not
our authorities talking to each other
to success the yellow ribbon project

yellow ribbon lay in tatters
for now