how far

ask yourself

how far

how far from poverty were you born

it didn't matter when hand me downs 

were the accepted were the expected

newer jeans newer long sleeved flannels

old boots and sometimes a pair of 

worn very worn chuckies

store boughts came from 

DAV GOODWILL SALVATION ARMY

MONTGOMERY WARDS BARGAIN BASEMENT

my benefactors spread their bucks 

at SEARS or at least PENNIES 

 

didn't matter

i wore comfortable soft cotton shirts

blue jeans 

LEVI STRAUSS

button no zipper

boots broken in by work

hard work

TONY LAMAS 

from my closeted uncle

best of all 

STETSON 

cowboy hat

from the 90 year old 

rancher neighbor

story teller mentor

how far from poverty was i born

poor yes poverty no

we had a home a farm

we always had something to eat

we had  

a mansion high fortress tree house

we were poor

most of our friends were poverty

we shared they shared

WE SHARED

friends matter ... period

Reviews

[MCS]

Being monetarily poor is never enjoyable. However, being well off and being morally and spiritually poor is much worse. When I visit here, you never disappoint my friend.

[keith]

being poor isn't all bad ... lack of $$$ makes one efficient/innovative/resourceful
when ya don't have you do without
in 75 years i have never driven or owned a new vehicle or boat but what i did get has lasted longer than expected
i think the key to not be bothered being poor is to be debt free ... i have been so since '81
when ya have $$$ that isn't designated? ya help others

[redd Brick Keshner]

Resonant and relatable. The repetition of “didn't matter” is powerful. It shrugs off economic comparison and shifts the focus to what did matter: comfort, work, love, shared stories, and shared things. What others might call “poverty” is rendered here as a life textured with meaning and belonging🕊️🙏🏻

[keith]

i wouldn't recommend being poor or aspiring to live a life in poverty
don't expect invites to join the local country club
or being able to buy foods from the middle shelves rather than the lower shelf
so what is the difference between poor and poverty ... living to get by or a struggle to survive.
poor is life struggles
poverty is death sentence

[keith]

your visits are always welcome friend

[redd Brick Keshner]

Quite right with the distinctions and your visits are also always welcome in turn Keith 🕊️🙏🏻