Poor Man’s Lullaby.... (poverty 'n hardship)

Quatrains in 8-Count (a simple poem of the ghetto, where I was raised).

        Poor Man’s Lullaby....

 

          Here I am, where I’ve come to be,

          while a’way back over yonder …

          to pasts so harsh then -- never free,

          life’s memories sadly wander.

 

          He, who I was -- now’ve grown into,

          barely resemble each other.

          That which I’ve been is known by few;

          ghetto brothers, I watched smother.

 

          Life came too hard, out of control …

          each step we took was two steps back;

          what few coins earned were quickly stole.

          Adults? Each one was far too slack.

 

          The path we trod was once their path,

          was destined, that which came before

          that every child would reap the wrath …

          seemed-like, there was nothing more.

 

          Life’s ladder's short … a dead-end street,

          so many mothers sit and cry.

          Now, looking back, years gone too fleet,

          my song’s a poor man’s lullaby!

                  Richard W. Jenkins

                              ©2019

Author's Note

Picture courtesy of Google Images

Please, feel free to leave well-meant critique and comments. : )

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

so fascinated you grew up in a ghetto Richard ... thank you for sharing that ... i imagine the experience has given power to your life ... in the lower middle class i relate instantly to the make a buck and loose two .. when first married we learned very quickly that the surprise 100 or so was not a bonus but the tires were about to blow...or the kids needed the Doctor etc etc ... it only took the one time we said "Lets go out to dinner!" to never spend that "extra" again ... knowing it would be needed ;)
E.

[Richard🖌]

Hey, Gene! : )
Thanks for the read, buddy, and your kind, encouraging words, but most of all, for generously sharing a bit of your life with me.
Poor life can be pure hell for some, and far too many never struggle out of the poverty, violence, and dysfunction.
Ya get a chance (and if you'd like, of course), take a look-see at my "Streets of Houston" poem: http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1629865/

You're a good friend I've very happy and privileged to have, Gene … brightest blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Einstein Noodle]

back at ya Richard..i'll check your poem right .....now! ;)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a statement on haves and have not's...
the tougher we have it in life, i think sometimes the more we appreciate all that we Do have.
first line second stanza, grammatically would be "who"...but then poetic license...being the English teacher, I tripped a bit on that...but that's just me.
and I really like this poem...I have lived many years a paycheck away from the streets...after being raised in a middle class home...upper middle.
But anger costs so much to hang on to; I try to appreciate where I am...what I do have.'
and this poem reminds me to do just that.
j.

[Richard🖌]

I think you're absolutely correct, Jacob,
One need not be dirt poor to realize hard times and appreciation, either. They may simply experience much less monetarily or spiritually than they are normally accustomed to, and have equally as hard a time on their own level. Both, therefore, more highly appreciative what they have.
Thank goodness for English teachers. And, I was a 4.0 English student. You've admonished me to remember the "he/who and him/whom" rule. Thanks for the keen eye and brush up reminder, Jacob. this is one of the many great benefits of sharing on this site. : )
You, too, eh? I think if one has ever lived the delicate balance of paycheck to paycheck, they will fully relate to and appreciate your words, My Friend, as I so succinctly do.

Thanks for a great review on this rather poignant piece, and for the "whom" snafu tap. ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

The sweetest songs now sung are of days gone by, for looking back they were the days that made one cry. but happier those days of old ~ they taught us well true meaning of being bold!

[Richard🖌]

Gosh, Hon! 🌻
I'm not very alert these day if I'm missing one of Your encouraging reviews.
I just love how, you turn your comments into wonderfully meaning poems, too … big hugs to You, Lovely Poetess! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[kitty]

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to respond to my review. Just keep sharing your meaningful thoughts and wonderful words with us. Have a lovely Easter Season.

[Relic]

I've had nightmares because of the people I'e seen in the streets of the city. That kind of life is something that stays like a scar that never disappears. The depression and violence as well as the stress and worry are things no human wants to endure.

[Richard🖌]

That's so poignantly true, my dear friend, Tim!
Unforgettable scars, indeed, for witness and downtrodden alike … some self-inflicted, most helplessly born into this soul-sucking realm; either way, a tremendously brutal struggle to ascend from.

Thank you for reviewing and share your genuinely appreciated sentiments! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Susan 🦋]

Difficult subject matter to read as I can relate to so much of it. I also lost friends. Mostly to gang violence and crime or addictions. My brother and I were always fighting or getting into trouble. Looking back is hard.
Your poem expresses those feeling of childhood hardships and continued effects.

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Susan Dear🌿
For sharing a bit of your own lullaby.
It is so wonderful to share with someone who's, actually. "been-there, done-that!" It helps make the world a less lonely place.

May your days be as lovely as you've made mine … with a happy smile 'n a warm, thankful hug! ⁓ Richard 🍃