Between The Rich And The Poor Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

Between The Rich And The Poor

Rating: 3.9


Who draws the gap between people?
They call them rich, they call them poor
The rich squander in wealth and abundance
The poor wonder what to eat next time.

Who allows injustice as iron fists
Smashing down the humble dignity
Of the weak, elevating the powerful
To decide what for the poor is best?

Who wakes up in the middle of the night
Feeling the grumbling hungry tummy
Over an open roof and empty plates?
Who orders trips to paradise during holidays
Hoarding bank shares and silver and gold?

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
Yes, there is indeed a wide gap between the rich and the poor in our worlds. I wrote this, recallng some children in the streets of Cebu City, Philippines, begging and sleeping on the streets. This is the same situation seen in the slum streets in India or many places in Africa, and of course, even in a powerful country like USA.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Rose Marie Juan-austin 09 March 2021

An astute observation on the status of people. Incisive write.

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Prabir Gayen 28 February 2019

Just 10++++++++++++ from me...so reality and minute observation... thanks

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Thanks for rating this poem so generously. Deeply appreciated!

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Prabir Gayen 28 February 2019

Very beautiful poem dear poetess.. The gap is eternal.... thanks

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Thanks. Yes, the gap seems eternal in reality. All through the years and through generations we keep the common vision for peace and justice and for equality and often we see that there is this gap that seems cannot be healed. But let us not give up our hope for a just and equal society among citizens and all dwellers therein.

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Ahile Kashami Ahile 03 January 2019

God! This really speaks of the situation in my country, you wrote it like you were here. It's breaks our hearts everyday how our system takes everything from us and hands it to the one percent in Nigeria, were the laws only oppress the poor, where we are kept poor because of the greed and corruption of the rich and powerful.

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I meant I am really happy that read your poem. THere was error in my first reply to you. Instead of glad, I spelled God. Take care and keep on writing.

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Hi, Ahile, I am really God that this poem also speaks to the situation in your own country. This is reality in our world, a window to human sin of greed and corruption.

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Sochukwu Ivye 16 October 2017

Thought-provoking questions from a perceptive heart. These interrogatory remarks provide their answers on their own. Well dished out piece, dear poetess.

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Thanks for your beautiful response, Chukwuma. Deeply appreciated.

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