Rich Or Poor

The smiles of children stamped in the mint of memory are the coin of the realm of happiness!

 

My great grandfather and grandmother Ben and Babe Morgan Circa 1920s

A rich man's son inherits want

with no desire to work hands bare

Gives the job to another man

to look out from his easy chair

 

A poor man's son inherits grace

born of toil and sweat of his brow

He adjudged of hard earned merit

pushes on what body will allow

 

The rich man's son inherits greed

with what malice it may entail

Thinking others beneath his station

for lack of character he does ail

 

The poor man's son inherits kindness

which with all others level stands

Then asks the outcast bless his door

to share the fruit of his two hands

 

Heir to what is the rich man's son

tender flesh that fears the cold

To the poor never gives his time

nor dare he wear a garment old

 

Inheriting, it seems to me

what no good man would wish to be

 

Heir to what is the poor man's son

strong muscles and pounding heart

Chipped of a marble character

beloved by all he touched in part

 

Inheriting, it seems to me

what all good men would wish to be

No claim to copyright fair use assumed

Author's Note

It isn't that rich people are per-say bad. Nor that poor people are good. It is the human condition that sets up society by stature. And counts wealth by monetary gain. Money is never happiness. Yet we are told all the time that it is. Look around you. See the multitudes rushing to amass their fortunes. And for what. Women who followed Gloria Steinem's ideals that you can have it all are miserable. Why? Because you can't have it all. You can't spend a life climbing the corporate ladder. Waiting to reach some plateau in your late 30s and then start a family. Children are not easy to raise. Nor cheap to keep in health and happiness. So why does money seem to make so many crazy and so many unhappy? Because money can't hold a hand. Money can't read a child's bedtime story. And money cannot make memories that last a lifetime. Shared life does that. Family does that. Descendants are the answer to selflessness. I cannot forget the look of a child's face who waited for dad to come pick him up when we were children. Only to hear again and again dad was too busy to come get him. How long do we think we will live? Not long. The dreams of happiness preached on wall street are the lies that will not live forever neither will we. The smiles of children stamped in the mint of memory are the coin of the realm of happiness!
Tate

Reviews

[Hanan_Maliah]

My man Tate..I have actually read this through more then once...it is to be reflected upon with more then a first glance. This understanding of being rich and having the world laid at your feet has for eternity been taken in stride...BUT...when you have toiled with your hands to bring your worth it is only then that you become RICH...those that believe the word rich applies solely to monetary gains are in fact poor...I would far rather be rich in mind and spirit enough to enjoy a fresh rain that has kissed the sweetest of roses bringing forth the decadence of scent burnt into memory that only a rose can bring then to be delivered a dozen cut, wrapped, or vased only to die...even then I would try to dry them so their existence is captured in time. I have often told men "Money neither impresses me or keep me...clothes do not make the man but are held together by a simple thread...it is the man himself do not have me find you lacking!" This said I would then ask who is truly rich and sorry to say really the poor..........

[Tate Morgan]

You are a peach I lay my pen in reverence upon the ground beside your feet

[Ladysue]

Tate, you are right money isn't everything by any means...
this is full of wisdom...good work..

[Becky C Strukamp]

You are so right, money is not everything. Your poem does reflect a lot of what happens so many times, ( not implying always ) sometimes we humans learn more when we have to work for it. Also the upbringing is so important to the way we grow up and our values. I believe its true to say, Children learn what they live.

Outstanding poem.

[Dayran]

Here's someone who believes there is more.

[Derek S.Keck]

This is another beautiful and wise piece. All I say, over and over again, in my head while I read your work is yes!

[My Fair Lady]

Wow again. All the admirable traits of a man who works. The very best things in life are the things earned by good works.. things that no amount of money or wealth can buy. Awesome work Tate Morgan.

[the_stoic]

once again you took up a theme to reflect on one of the aspects of our society .. quite true that a poor man's son learns to face hardships and is usually a better person . but at times it does seem to be the other way . the poor guy might take up arms and the rich guy's son might become a philanthropist . nonetheless taking usual aspects in consideration whatever you have said is what happens . nice write

[G. Marie"floating on an..]

oh truer words were never spoken. such wise words written here. hopefully not all rich are so heartless and not all poor are so noble. but for the most part it must be true. the self made millionare has character that drove him to succeed but the one that inherited his riches tend to be lazy if not raised properly. one can only hope for a balance of the two in people. great insightful poem. your poems are always so well written tate!!

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Congrats on this great winning poem. Well Done!

[Norma M Sutton]

This is lovely!

[Donna DeLong Matthews a..]

Tate you have once again penned such a winner
by dancing with that talented pen of yours.
One can not truly appreciate what they have
without the struggles of life.
Love with out loss
Warmth with out the cold.
Its the difficult that builds character.
Oh my friend you have so squarly hit the nail
on the head with this

Truly loved the message this gives

Hugs
D