Rich and Poor

Be on your guard when
someone calls you poor.
It means they see you as small
for having less than they have.

They possess more of the seen
but can’t see the unseen.

“Poor” opens the door
to strangers with more.
They will not wipe their feet
when they trample in.
They don’t see anything
you would want to protect.

There is poverty among the rich
and wealth among the poor.

As the intruders begin to feel better
about themselves, you will
feel surprisingly worse.
When you resist, you will
be accused of ingratitude.

They prefer donating
to paying good wages.

The more you are given,
the less you will have.

The bondage of pity:
more powerful than chains.
What is given can cost your soul.

Lilija Valis' poetry will be featured in her forthcoming book, "Freedom on the Fault Line".