Poverty Is

Poverty is a problem this government CAN fix, but WON'T.

Poverty isn't just a word
It's not something you can just ignore
It's a hungry child's eyes that have blurred
It's hitting the gas pedal to the floor

 

It's making rent by the first of the month every four weeks
It's taking the same light bulb to the room that needs it
It's avoiding the never lacking critiques
It's never being able to commit

 

Poverty is knowing judgment is waiting for you

It's knowing you have to choke back the tears

It's understanding that it's not the end of what you're going through

It's coping with the inevitable coming of years

 

It's searching for a job that you probably won't get

It's making sure the water is still running

It's searching for the bread that's hopefully not moldy yet

It's using the phisilities when there's problems with the plumbing

 

Poverty isn't a game meant for one to play

It's a nightmare you're having with eyes wide open still

It's waking up knowing you won't eat that day

It's avoiding becoming ill

 

It's not seeing the doctor when you need to

It's knowing things aren't about to change

It's understanding that the government is lacking in their ability to help you

It's continuing on with a life you can't exchange

 

Poverty
It's what we're all living under

Poverty

A life without wonder

 

Author's Note

Poverty is...knowing the child support will never come...

Reviews

[Constance]

Having been there, all the way to homeless, I love this poem. I have to disagree with the last line though, actually. Life has wonders we can find even when wallowing at the bottom of the muck- I know that from experience.
My child support isn't ever going to come, either. I don't let it stop me. I just keep pushing, and things just keep getting a little better, rung by rung up the ladder to... not to what most people would call success, just to getting by easily enough without so many worries thanks to lack of money. I'm almost there. :)
Wonderful writing, with a theme more people should care enough to touch upon. Thank you, and BRAVO!