Tag Archives: debt

Ode to the Debtor

“Leave this world better than you came to it”
words lured out from countless different throats,
aphorisms their old dreams intuit,
donned now in these cold years like warm coats.

Words lured out from countless different throats,
languish there as bricks in a chimney shaft
donned now in these cold years like warm coats,
below, smoke billowing a hearty laugh.

Languish there as bricks in a chimney shaft,
below, smoke billowing a hearty laugh
aphorisms their old dreams intuit
“Leave this world better than you came to it.”

Trinkets

Three coins strung together around my wrist;
the toll for love is always at hand,
as many paid as has been collected.

One coin gifted for the love that defines us;
the love that plays beyond the boundaries of time,
and inspires us to pursue it more.

Another owed for the love that has been taken;
always too soon, should one live to see it gone,
but owed the same, for the loss costs us no less.

A coin borrowed for the love that remains;
languishing there, just beyond our horizons,
yet no less worthy of what alms we offer.

Last, the bracelet itself, held for my daughter;
who may have forgotten that love is still here,
but still kept safe, for here love will always be.

Value

You are born to this earth worthless
               less than that
a negative value we are meant to fill
though you never see the bill
you just have to find a way to pay it.

But don’t worry
               someone will tell you
the ones who came before had a bill to pay too
and whatever they couldn’t they’ll bequeath to you.

Once you’ve tackled what they left behind
you can start adding value against your debt
but don’t be surprised when it’s time to collect
and there is a lifetime or more that is left
yet no time remains to pursue it.

Gift your unpaid debt to another
tell them all the things you wanted to do
to give your life value and prove your worth
and have them take on that pursuit
they can always deal with their own debt later.