Money defines poverty, so is not its opposite. The opposite of poverty is affluence. The opposite of money is gift since money only exists to neutralize trade between strangers. "The way of heaven reduces excess and fills need, but the way of humans is not so: they strip the needy to serve those who have too much."
When my hands are empty, I can touch everything
ReplyDeletebut move nothing.
When my mind is empty, I can learn anything
but understand nothing.
When my pockets are empty, I can carry anything
but bring it nowhere.
I am rich when I hold
a hammer when nails should be driven.
I am rich when I know
the language of the person who speaks to me.
I am rich when I have exact change
for the bus that will take me home.
FL:
ReplyDeleteNice. Thanks.
H. K.
Feeding Ghosts
ReplyDeleteChinese burn paper
Money at family graves
So the departed
Will not starve on the other
Side – that’s what money is for!
[Disposable Tanka July 27, 2010]
Dr. Mike
Money defines poverty, so is not its opposite. The opposite of poverty is affluence. The opposite of money is gift since money only exists to neutralize trade between strangers.
ReplyDelete"The way of heaven
reduces excess and fills need,
but the way of humans is not so:
they strip the needy
to serve those who have too much."