WEALTH AND BENEVOLENCE

helping others less fortunate; equality and freedom

WEALTH AND BENEVOLENCE

 

Man’s offspring

often times aspires to learn

mother hovers like a veil of soft clouds

father spurs the blood to run hot

consider a rise to means

appreciate and cultivate assets

 

Yesteryear, generations prospered

over people less fortunate

compassion hides

behinds the outer guise

 

History asserts intensities

of plenitude among mortals

some fell into desolation

others nurtured

their garden of resources

to strive for full flush

 

Barons, kings, queens

aspire of the untried

 

But, in the land of abundance

bygone days evinced

much charity and pity

many protested on behalf of them

for those still in darkness

 

Were in darkness

 

 

Hence the power of wealth

need not be selfish

 

The opulence of today

may be a rose unwilling to endure

Until a new blossom of benevolence swells

 

Each generation hence could inhale the air

of this sorely needed freedom and bestowal

if equality is to peek at the light

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

This poem is loosely based on true story of: The First Mrs. Rothschild
By Sara Aharoni.
In eighteenth and nineteenth century Europe, the Rothschild’s rose to financial and political success and overcame many barriers.
First, they bought and sold gold and silver coins, then they exported textiles and finally became bankers. They were respected by both rich and poor.
Yet, because they were Jews, they were denied the civil rights of Christians, until Mr. Rothschild obtained enough power to reap their parity.
After Mr. Rothschild died, his wife refused to leave the threadbare apartment she was living in for many years in the Jewish Ghetto. She was a humble, smart and spiritual woman. She bore eight children, some of whom died during her lifetime. All of her sons embodied financial prosperity, and lived lavishly. They were unable to influence their mother to change her lifestyle. Before she died she burned all of her precious notes to the reader.
The whole Rothschild family showed grace and benevolence to those less well-off, long after his death.

Reviews

[Ken e Bujold]

this is a necessary read for people. A great look into the nature of greed. every time I think its time to give up the ghost of hoping for humanity to awaken to the inhumanity of our avarice, someone, today it is you Betty, comes along to remind me that the dream is not so morte as I might think, that there are other dreamers like myself.
thanks dear, needed a bit of a lift today

ken

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Ken, glad others fell the same as I so....nice review!
Best, B

[W. Barrett Munn]

Hi, Betty,

This is an important an powerful message with the growing worldwide disparity of wealth. With great wealth comes great responsibility, too often neglected until the poor rise in anger and toss over the status quo in either revolution or revolutionary government changes by their votes. Neither is much bloodier than the other.

Winston

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks you Winston for a very thoughtful review!!!
Best, B

[Dave Brown]

A seriously well-done piece of work
There are some, quite likely many, many more than I am aware of who are thoughtful and benevolent but at least a decade ago I heard of a basketball player who was a billionaire, now no doubt one of many who are part of a huge number of people quite happy to keep hanging on to every dime

[Betty Hermelee]

Wow Dave, a great review, much appreciated!
BESTB

[Scott Kris]

I enjoyed this poetry. It speaks to an ageless issue of the human condition. Life is not fair. It never has been. Yet we can help even the scales as we are able. As we over come the baser impulses of our natures we can evolve our response to the needs of other. As the light overcomes the "Darkness". Yes.
And this global concept of equality still feels mythical as we observe how different we all approach the gifts and challenges of life with our own unique experiences. Obviously worth a long series of discussions.
I enjoyed the context you provided with the story of Mrs. Rothschild. This family has been a true influence and shaper of our modern history, for good and for harm.
I especially felt these lines speak to my nature.
"mother hovers like a veil of soft clouds
father spurs the blood to run hot"

Thank you for the inspiration of thought and the challenge to live with benevolence.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Scot for a very thoughtful review!
Glad we feel the same way on this issue.
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Dearest Betty,
Wow wee..what a wonderful poem!! Such interesting facts to ponder...
You have made me want to read the book...
Isn't it wonderful how a story or a piece of art work can inspire one to write a poem....
Fabulous, I loved it.
Lsa, still in Spain

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Lisa, thank you for reviewing ...I loved the book and felt the need to show readers the need to help those less fortunate, and to show how the Rothschild's rose to prominence but still were challenged on their civil rights....Hope you are well in Spain!
Best, B

[Lisasview]

You are very welcome.
Going to spend most of this week getting ready for an art show..where I will be demonstrating and hopefully selling my work. Should be fun.
Lisa

[Betty Hermelee]

What kind of art??? I paint in acrylics! Good luck Lisa, I hope you sell a lot!!!
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Yes, I believe I remember a convertaion with you when I first started posting in January that you painted in acrylics. I am a water colourist...
Lisa

[Lisasview]

Yes, I believe I remember a convertaion with you when I first started posting in January that you painted in acrylics. I am a water colourist...
Lisa

[Betty Hermelee]

Love that too, but I'm too messy to attempt!!! take care

[Lisasview]

Hi Betty,
If you were here or on my Skype group I could show you..I teach...loose water color.
Lisa

[Betty Hermelee]

Sounds great, but I'm too old to learn to learn new mediums.... but give me more info anyway!!!
read moreSounds great, but I'm too old to learn to learn new mediums.... but give me more info anyway!!!
Best, B

[Lisasview]

Oh gosh, one is never too old...One of my students is in her 80's and only started learning to paint in watercolorist about a year ago.
Lisa

[Betty Hermelee]

I'm going to send you my personal email in a private message... then you can send me photos of some of your work......Best

[Lisasview]

I think I have a few in my photos..Did you see them?
L

[Betty Hermelee]

Not yet, but I will... Thanks Lisa

[Patricia Wedel]

Wow… Betty.. this reads like a Rose that keeps blooming .. passed on in the years that followed. Reminds me of when Elvis sings… “In the Ghetto”.. only because Life is Precious. gently, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

You always see the the glass half full, I love it, than you dear Pat
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

It is sad Mrs. Rothschild burn the notes. After my grandmother died. I found photos and letters of my Uncle who was a Captain in the Civil war. He was killed in 1862 in a battle. It 12 pages of real history. I was lucky. I was raised by kind grandparent. My grandfather kept every important newspaper and he left us with great knowledge. I enjoyed the story dear Betty. If we are lucky. Our mentors teach us how to live. Mr. Rothschild and Mrs. Rothschild were amazing and strong people. Thank you dear friend for sharing. I did enjoy. I love history.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much for your in-depth review John..., much appreciated.
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Betty.

[John the Baptist]

There was a tradition of noblesse oblige, the duty of the well off to share their good fortune with those not so well off. You can observe this tradition currently when you watch PBS programs that have been supported by various foundations. As to the Rothschilds, for some reason they have been demonized by antisemites who see them as being behind much of the world's problems. No matter what you do, some people are going to hate you.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks John for your comments; long ago they were looked upon differently….
Best, B.

[Betty Hermelee]

If you read the book, you would see it differently, and I was speaking about them as being demonized by the Christians who kept them in their Ghetto with no civil rights! Good for discussion John…….B