Poverty!

Come sit down here on this box.
I'll give you some thoughts,
and my attention.
I'll stay up late and write a letter,
one you can hold in your hands
and feel the paper crinkle
against your fingers.
It's the attention that really matters.

To how many people in your life did you really pay attention?
Did you really never see that golden light
streaming onto the concrete
through the turning leaves?
How do you think you'll recognize it now?
When the shell is gone, you'll be hollow inside.

So sit outside in the sun or the rain.
Then at least you'll be filled with
light and water.
And something planted in your soil
can grow.


Eiseley