I Am Nobody Poem by Juan Olivarez

I am nobody, to look down on a thief,
That steals a loaf of bread.
To have a bite to eat.
I am nobody.
Who am I to look down on a prostitute,
That sells her body,
To have a bite to eat,
I am nobody.

Though society frowns,
And rears it's ugly head,
As society always will,
There but for the grace of God go I.
Have you counted your blessings today?
What would you do,
If you could do nothing else?
And our benevolent government, looked the other way.
Would you steal to feed your children?
Would you prostitute yourself to feed your children?

Will you be honest with yourself?
You can lie to me,
You can lie to society.
You can lie to yourself.
You can lie to your priest.
But in the end,
You are a human being after all,
Yes you would do anything.

Jean Val Jean, and his infamous loaf of bread,
Hounded all his life.
And Javert, so honest, righteous and good.
Who was the thief, and who was the monster,
Who led an exemplary life,
And whose soul was bitter, and full of venom?
I in my life, and in my work, in search of the almighty dollar,
Have known many people.
I have known doctors, nurses, teachers policemen,
And I have known the wretches,
The thief and the prostitute.
And when it came time to pay the piper,
The teachers would hide,
The policemen would hide,
But the thief and the prostitute,
Were always on time and prompt.
I don't know what to make of that.
Other than,
I am nobody to judge.

1/28/12 Alton Texas