Poverty

Poverty is cruel, said those
Who have encountered it in its
various shades of crudeness.
It becomes more treacherous when
it grips you while young and helpless
and ripping away the hope to dream
smothering the desire to explore
and grinding you with hunger and prejudice.

It looks so unfair to the pauper
the sight of those who prosper
who live in big mansions
own boats, cars and jets in numbers
send their dogs to the spas to be groomed
and feed them with delicacies
which the poor haven't got even a chance
to taste or dream of.

What is more daunting and heart wrenching is that
those who hunger for food and those who prosper by owning
live in the same country, not far from each other
and not knowing each other's name or needs
But what's strange and unknown
to those who lack material wealth is that
those who glitter in diamonds
and zoom past by in limousines
also encounter poverty, but of another kind.

The poverty of love, trust, faith and peace of mind
Yes, not all that glitter brings joy to the heart
or add peace and  wisdom to your life.
You may be poor in world's standard
but wealthy in heaven's bank account.

The poverty of love, peace together
with that of kindness and trust is more pitiable
that the world in its busyness has not taken account.
Yes, poverty and world hunger need to be eradicated
yet, the poverty of love,trust and faith
also need to be addressed to have a better
world for you and me to live in the future.

(July 01,2005)