Money

Money isn't everything.
Money can't replace family or love
Sure it can make it easier

That's part of what I am saying....

Money doesn't
taste as good
as some things,
that's for sure

But money gets
your hand
on the bottle
of so many pills
labeled
"cure"

No not a "cure", just takes care of basic needs that we all have. Just basics. That's why I allude in this poem to people who never struggled with it.... I mean really...like being homeless. They don't know....
I don't blame them. You can only know if you've been there.
I had a friend talk like that the other day. She said that everything is fine, even living out of a car. She owns a nice big property and has a steady pension. She has never lived out of a car. If she had to she would go suicidal. She couldn't cope....but she doesn't know that.

Yes. I was talking to my dad about this. It's almost like priviledged people need to go through stress training or something. And without it, true empathy is harder to develop.

When I lived in San Francisco there was a church that did a weekend seminar where people could be in the street with the homeless to see how it feels. It was an attempt to make people get the idea....but they had normal lifes and nice homes to go back to, so they never experienced the angst and dispair. I thought it was a good idea, but by no means the real deal.

Someday I want to publish a chapbook called

This world
We are in
Requires heavy
Medicine

I think one of the central themes would be what we are discussing.

Yeah, sounds about right. Let me know when your book is out. It will become more and more important.

Ha ha. I'm sitting on like 2000 poems. I've wanted to publish for over 20 years. I just never know how to put together the right collection, and the few submissions I've sent out got rejected. I have so many of these themed chapbooks planned out. Sigh.

I guess you have to self publish. I don't know how this all works. It's always hard with any kind of art. It's more about who you know than what you deliver. I have seen some great art going nowhere, meanwhile some crap meister got exposure because he kissed the right asses. I wish you the best of luck.

You too.

Very true Angel. Sad, but true. And too many people let it run their whole damned lives.
Good writing, makes you think. I like it!
Matthew.

Thank you Matthew...always good to see you comment.

It's not money that's evil but the love of it that breeds greed.  Once infected it's difficult to cure.  

I'll never forget an interview with Hugh Hefner; he was asked how much money it would take before he was satisfied.  He answered, "Just a little bit more."

You're right in that money is a necessity in today's world.  Unless, that is, you've been able to set yourself up off the grid. . .I do know those that have.

You are right about the infectious nature. I have seen plenty who where ill from the virus. I also came accross those who live off the grid....they had money to situate themselves in that position.

Exactly.  It takes finances to get anywhere unless it's already established and you're welcomed in.

We used to have chickens and we still grow our own veggies wherever we can rent a house with yard and dirt around. The chickens needed some good organic feed and we needed to built a coup. Having them was very joyous and fun but not a money saver. By now I save my own seeds, but starting and maintaining a garden takes some money too. Unless you have your own well, the waterbill especially in the desert can shut you down. We had that happen once. Rainwater harvesting in the desert doesn't cut it and you have to invest in the system too. The math can be frustrating. At least Right now we have enough experience to know.

10 years ago we moved to Portugal to "grow our own food" because I thought the economic system was about to collapse (I was half right) and I thought "Christ, I've got 5 grown-up kids living in cities in Germany/Switzerland/U.K, I've gotta make sure they can eat".
10 years on, what can I say? Yes, it needed money to set it up - and The System hasn't collapsed ... yet.
One day, the experience and ability to grow your own food may be all that counts. Meanwhile the money-as-debt system tightens the screw on everyone, especially on those with least resources. It's hugely unfair and unjust. My heart is with you. Perhaps it's a phase to just keep going and something will pan out for the better. Josh.

It is good you have your own land. We rent, which makes us vulnerable to circumstances. I have to go back to the US for at least a while to find a job. My husband will stay with the garden in Mexico. I have done it for two months last year but nothing solid came about. I feel like the Mexicans who leave their family to make money in the US. It makes me understand the feelings and what they experience missing their folks. At least I have a few friends in Tucson, no language barrier and I know my way around. I hope to find a solution, so we can stay in Mexico. I can't be there all the time, but I want to see my husband. I just don't want to be stuck one day, when a big hurricane hits, and not have money to get us out. That thought terrifies me.

No easy answers negotiating this fragile and uncertain world, Angelast. We're thinking of moving back to the U.K due to the need to earn money but have made the decision whatever we do, we do/go together. We've decided to let it ride until the new year, and then commit - one way or the other. Vamos ver. :))

Unfortunately,/ this is just how the world works. Nice piece.

Yeah...that it is. Thanx for dropping by Nari.

Money isn't everything as Dizzzzzzzy might say but yes, it is freedom honey & we both know that.

As simples as that....

brutal truth...put across
hits home! home run for me Angela!

expression!

Thank you Cold-f...you understand.

Necessary evil ... a tool for life as my father says ... not my idol ... nice reminder Angela ...

REALISTIC RHYME