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

[Hannah Monttkomepy]

Well, I have to say I don't totally agree with your poem. I don't think every rich man's son is like that, but if you're writing this poem by how most people view rich people vs. poor people then I say ok. But since I don't really agree with it, I can't really say what I liked about this cause that thought was in my mind the whole time so...

[Deleted]

I love the message you portrayed in this poem; something unique, yet insightful. This poem is truly profound in ways that touch a person's mind, heart, and most importantly, soul.
Great job.

[vandana]

hi tate, thanks for the invite
A universal truth thats so well expressed. I liked the flow and rythmn of the poem. Good job.

[~LeeAnn~]

Some people will never know what it is like to do a job and others will slave away everyday just to get by.....I love how you capture that in this writing....

[Kaylee Andurs]

I have to agree. It is better to be poor because it builds character, but it doesn't hurt to have money either.

[Dillon Cotter]

wow bro, this opened my eyes and realized its really better working yourself into success and happiness instead of dreaming for every day hand-downs. i dont think we give our families and parents the credit for working their hearts out to provide us overall. wonderful.

[Sean M. Addams]

like this alot very sad and emotional story built up through this... overall a very impressive write .. nice job on this one!!!

[JC]

Tate,

Thank you so much for the invite, I'm sorry it has taken me this long to reply.
Your piece speaks volumes of what is going on in society today. We teach our children to admire wealth instead of developing a desire to build character.

Kudos!

JC

[LisetteCanWrite!]

This writing truly shows how backwards life can in fact be! The characteristics of being poor should be admired and held in the highest regard.. yet most struggle and dream of being rich! When a poor man becomes rich.. if not careful he/she can lose sense of self.. in every aspect.. they also have a higher tendency of losing the wealth due to the kindness in their hearts.. giving away much of their wealth.. or hoarding it in fear of becoming poor again.. becoming more greedy than any rich man born to wealth! Rags to riches most times is a crisis.. winning a lottery can cause hardships and loss of friendship.. causing the winner to question all people around them.. yet still a dream for the poor.. but lining the government's coffers.. full exploitation of poor surely exists today on many levels in both Canada and US.. a real sign there are so many poor that hold that dream! This writing like so many others you have written holds a wealth of knowledge.. that can create alot of avenues of thought stemming from just a few lines. Thank you again.. always pleased to read your writing! =)