POVERTY 101

Boys and girls I call you
‘Cos by the time you graduate,
You will become men and women
This is a very difficult course
Only determine hard working people will pass

So what is poverty?
Who I am to defined course as old as humanity itself?
Perhaps I am the most qualified
Look at my wretched clothes
My glorious pieces of rags
Look at the lines of my face
Which pass through my rough skin like a crooked stream
Yes, I know what poverty is

Poverty is going on for days without food
And pretending you are Jesus’ disciple on a 40 day fast
Poverty is when you watch your wife in arms of another man
Having an all night prayer session
Or at least that is what you are told
Yes, she will pray
She will pray for your poverty-stricken soul

Poverty is when your respect and dignity is sold for a few pennies
Poverty is the reason you have no friends
Poverty is the reason love is enough to give you happiness
And the same reason your younger brother becomes the head of the family
Poverty is when you are filled with helplessness, grief and desperation
Poverty is when your child is dying but you can only sit and watch

But there is hope even in the mist of hardship
Some just like you have left this class to higher class
It will be tough
It will be a long journey
But once you’ve decided to take the first step success shall wait for you
I wish you well
May you pass this course with flying colors
For I’m tried of being a professor
This life should not be your life
Poverty is the worse curse you can ever imagine
Break this cycle and create a better tomorrow
Good luck!!!