Cynthia Buell Thomas

Poverty Is

by Cynthia Buell Thomas

Monday 29th March 2010 12:25 pm (first posted Saturday 27th March 2010 4:38 pm)

Poverty Is

Poverty is a

Flood of public tears when cheap

Mince goes up 5 p

Poverty is to

Hunt by busy roadways for

Berries and wild greens

Poverty is the

Dock where kind fishermen toss

Squealing heads to you

Poverty is the

Necessity to sew plain

Smocks for little girls

Poverty is to

Hold the old fridge together

With strong masking tape.

Poverty is to

Scrub the family laundry

In a plastic tub

Poverty is to

Tell your children Santa Claus

Consults your mummy

Poverty is to

Find the prettiest shell for

The tooth fairy’s purse.

Poverty is to

Serve sausages and water

In crystal dishes

Poverty can make

You forget through drudgery

What really matters

Cynthia Buell Thomas

◄ To plumb the depth of soul ( a villanelle)

Coffee and Critics ►

Comments

Tom Harding

Mon 12th Apr 2010 21:51

i love the minutiae of this. it's the detail of each scenario that makes the impact. for example 'Serve sausages and water
In crystal dishes'

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Mon 5th Apr 2010 13:56

Stefan, (and Win) you are so right, of course. 'What is poverty?' is likely the biggest question in the world because it transcends just the physical, and must be applied also to the mental, emotional, social and spiritual realms. This poem tried only to use some 'specific' situations to indicate the 'general' in our privileged Western society. I am not the least surprised by your reaction; it was mine too, because I am a global citizen. I am puzzled by the official definition of the 'poverty line' in the UK.

I do have the answering companion piece called 'Joy Is'.

<Deleted User> (6895)

Sat 3rd Apr 2010 17:36

Hi Cynthia-lovely poem re a particular level of poverty-but with great respect,I partly agree with Winston,but from personal experience I could easily advise you on a much deeper level,ie-weeks on end-not days without food-blocked up toilets-doors hanging off-mental and sexual abuse-watching parents near killing each other-literally having to boil grass to have something to eat-on occasions also having to walk tens of miles to relatives,to get food.the list goes on-and believe me,much deeper! bit different from hand washing clothes etc? And of course there are the even much poorer people,who would make my past life seem like luxury! poverty is? mmmmmmm good question.Absolutely no disrespect to you dear Lady,but I was only pointing out to you my view,having unfortunately lived it.But in its self,a beautiful poem,as yours always tend to be.Thank you-Stefan-x

Dave Bradley

Sun 28th Mar 2010 22:37

Cate is spot on in saying that the tight style and repetition reflects the drudgery of poverty. The style is as restricted as the lifestyle. Excellent poem Cynthia - we all need reminding regularly what is out there.

Francine

Sun 28th Mar 2010 16:08

I admire the fact that you are trying out different poetic forms
Cynthia - It is interesting to see and read. What Poverty is, can be different for everyone - I really like the last verse as it is a universal feeling and says it all.

<Deleted User> (7164)

Sun 28th Mar 2010 13:28

I love the general theme and the idea of this Cynthia.
My 'favourite' stanzas are 4, 6, 7, 8 and the final one because they are the ones which touched my heart.
The whole thing though is very thought provoking. The only one i thought was a little out of place is the second one. Some people do still enjoy hunting for berries and wild greens just for the sheer pleasure.

Janet.x

winston plowes

Sun 28th Mar 2010 11:28

Hi Cynthia, Liked this idea. Some great and strange subject matter. the sausages in crystal really put things nicely into perspective. also liked the idea that poverty is relative and to some it maybe going without caviar... to others going without food. maybe this could be explored further in another poem. Win

Rachel McGladdery

Sun 28th Mar 2010 10:35

I love this.
x

Isobel

Sun 28th Mar 2010 10:26

Sorry Cynthia. I didn't realise it was in haiku format - that explains it. I wasn't saying verse 3 was weak. I just found it odd to end a line with 'kind fishermen toss' - maybe because I have a mind like a sewer!

I think that formal structure is sometimes too restrictive. For me it isn't always the best way to develop a poem or explore a theme. Maybe that is because my mind likes to be free and I find all kinds of structure a bit oppressive LOL! Someone psychoanalyse me.....

Cynthia Buell Thomas

Sun 28th Mar 2010 10:09

Unless I have goofed, these stanzas are in strict haiku format as regards number of syllables per line; not necessarily though in the truest spirit of the form.

Stanza 3 IS weak.

Isobel

Sat 27th Mar 2010 22:41

A thought provoking poem Cynthia - I would say that poverty has the most scarring and long reaching affects. A final stanza that hinted at that would round it off.

I find the structure a little odd in this cos it doesn't sit the way I would read it. Let me illustrate by reworking the 3rd stanza.

Poverty is
the dock where kind fishermen
toss severed heads to you

Hope you don't mind me saying this.

It was lovely to meet you and your husband at Freed Up, bye the way.

Isobel x

Cate Greenlees

Sat 27th Mar 2010 17:36

You once put on one of my poems Cynthia that "poverty is a bitch" and this poem says it all. I like the tight style and the repetition which emulates the sheer drudgery that poverty brings.
Cate xx

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