Poetry: I don't want much

Pretty damn self explanatory, I think.

I don't want much

A loaf of bread, enough to eat.
Warm clothes to wear, shoes on my feet.
Doctor's visits, an end to debt.
A job to do, some self-respect.

I went to school, I learned my skills.
I had a job and paid the bills.
But now it's gone, sent far away,
Done by a man for half the pay.

They took my house, I'm on the streets,
Pushed out of sight of the elites.
Out on the edge I'm forced to lurk.
I don't ask much, I want to work.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• poetry
• homeless
• work
• outsource

[ExaggeratedElegy]

Hey there Renegade,

Extremely pertinent, given current economic situations in much of the Western world. I like the plain and unassuming language, the genuine feeling behind it. Faved :)

George

[renegade4dio]

@ExaggeratedElegy My wife just lost her job, I have a college degree and yet make less than $25k/yr working 2 jobs more than 60h/wk. I fear this could be me soon, which is what triggered this. Of course, that makes for that personal connection needed for most good art. Thanks for the favorite, I don't think I've gotten many of that level of compliment on my videos.

[TheAist]

nice, welcome to life!

[renegade4dio]

@TheAist Thanks for dropping in! I'm sure by now I don't even need to mention how much I appreciate it, CZ.

[TheAist]

@renegade4dio its my pleasure, you make great videos. not too many people make me think like you do

[renegade4dio]

@TheAist Heh. I can't be all THAT good. I've only got 200 subs. And my videos only get 30-100 views on average. While I don't believe that popularity is the true measure of success, it's a good starting point. Your CZ channel had what, 36k about when it was shut down? It's like comparing an m80 with a full stick of dynamite. However, I do thank you for that comment about making you think. An artist appreciated by an artist is more likely influential than one appreciated by the masses.

[tinySpectacle]

@renegade4dio I know what you mean, but only sometimes. Sometimes my best stuff comes out almost fully formed, and it's just a couple more hours here and there, making sure of this word or that order. But I'm not always so lucky, and it takes me a long time to give up on a bad poem. Cheers, Lo

[renegade4dio]

@tinySpectacle "It takes me 3-5 months to beat the horrible out of a poem."

I generally find that the longer I spend attempting to beat the horrible out of a poem, the worse it gets. My better ones tend to percolate in the back of my mind for an indefinite time, and then almost fall onto the page in a short time. This one went from percolating concept to done in about 2 hours last night.

Thanks for your comment, they mean a lot to me when they come from a good poet.

[tinySpectacle]

Straight to the point with great impact.  Nicely articulated.