poverty is not his loved ones

is not his lover,

is not his preacher,

poverty is not even his brother.

poverty is not his prayer,

or the song that he sings

is not my answer

poverty is not his dream.

poverty is not his teacher

not the hand that he held.

poverty is not his anger,

not his spirit, not his soul.

ah! but this poverty is real

it races thru his mind

crashes into his heart,

& leaves him deaf and blind.

poverty is his companion.

the aching cold inside his veins

the blow behind his eyes,

poverty is the shadow

inside his shadow.