The Crystal Lady

The Poet's Corner

Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief
By Joan Estelle High
© 1998

If  having money were the only thing in this life that mattered,
Then it would heal all the ills and mend the heart that's battered.
Having money rejoices the poor and it  buys them bread to eat.
But it  won't  buy your soul it's peace or make your rest sweet.

With some money you can buy a place of stone or wood.
But a real home, you can not buy, oh if you only could.
The lilies of the field are clothed, we quote the "Gentle Man"
In robes so splendid you can see them all across the land.

The high price finery of the Richman is priced ever so dear,
But the lowly lily's not surpassed, finery can't come near.
The so called riches of this world, I do not  have a penny.
But the treasures of my heart and soul, this I have a plenty.

I have a body strong and true with legs that run and walk.
By brain was sound, my eyes could see, I did sing and talk.
I could  savor a rose wet with dew, kissed by the sun's ray.
See an orange streaked sunset at the end of a long hard day.

If money were the only thing that mattered, poor I would be.
 I am lucky that many of the important things in life were free.
I have never been a Rich man, it just was never meant to be.
Being a Poor Man  seemed  much more like the role for me.

 I have never been a Beggar Man, I never was a Thief.
 I have had my share of laughter and my share of grief.
I always found some way to keep  all my children fed.
They had a clean place to sleep, a bed to lay their head.

 I did not have the latest, "do unto others" was my creed.
There were times when life  did not meet my basic need
My Life path was full of roses and  it was full of  weeds
I wasn't sure where it was going or where it would lead.

At the end of life's journey when death should come for me.
There will still be some special times that live in memory.
Nothing  special to the world at large, but  still special to me.
Glad I found out in time that the best things in life are free.


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