Blood Money

Red cents fill the coffers of the rich.
It is the blood and sweat of others,
yet, no longer enough, no longer enough,
worthless as the silver-less lie of a dime.

It is the blood and sweat of others
melted with base metals, base morality,
worthless as the silver-less lie of a dime
not filling the hollow holes of their souls.

Melted with base metals, base morality
a growing virus among the bone weary, 
not filling the hollow holes of their souls,
both, rich and poor, suckle an empty teat. 

A growing virus among the bone weary,
yet, no longer enough, no longer enough,
both, rich and poor, suckle an empty teat,
red cents fill the coffers of the rich.



**re-vised ;) hope it's clearer!
*an unrhymed Pantoum
  Poet: Debbie Guzzi

Copyright © | Year Posted 2012



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Date: 9/29/2012 5:27:00 PM
Yep! You nailed it, cher!...Worked my skinny little ass off all my life and hardly got a 'red cent' to show for it! (or even a brown one for that matter) SOMEBODY got it...just can't figure out who...congrats on the win - Tim
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Date: 9/27/2012 8:18:00 PM
The poem blew us away, hon. Sorry for getting here so late! Replying to all the winners tonight.... chaos on the homefront and I am hoping that "Goldie" our new fish will help with sleeping. Goldie is a purple Beta who lives in a lovely glowie magic aquarium (LED lights and bubbles) Now, back to you. Fantastic insight, your delivery and the cohesion is what sent this to the top. Hugs, Chum... Dee
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Date: 9/26/2012 9:24:00 AM
congratulations :)
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Date: 9/26/2012 5:17:00 AM
A belated congratulations on your win in Rhonda and Cyndi's "Penny Pantoum" contest contest Debbie. Love, Carol
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Date: 9/25/2012 5:11:00 PM
A commentary on the way it has always been......what a genius take on this contest theme....and you nailed it so beautifully!! Congratulations are well deserved! :)
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Date: 9/25/2012 3:16:00 PM
Congrats on your winning work..Sara
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Date: 9/25/2012 11:12:00 AM
An excellent pantoum here Debi.Congrats on your BIG win!This goes to my FAVS.
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Date: 9/25/2012 9:43:00 AM
CONGRATS BIRTHDAY GIRL ON A BIG FIRST PLACE WIN LUV ..
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Date: 9/25/2012 9:28:00 AM
A powerful statement in your winning pantoum. I like this form and am trying to use it more often. Thanks for your great example.
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Date: 9/25/2012 8:42:00 AM
Wow! Tremendously beautiful pantoum! It speaks absolutely the truth. MY HUGE HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRAND/FIRST WIN MY DEAR DEB!!! HUGS:) Leonora
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Date: 9/25/2012 7:23:00 AM
Maybe the best poem of your that Ive read..congrats on a big win. BG
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Date: 9/25/2012 2:55:00 AM
the judges got this right Deb, a wonderful example for me to keep and learn from...
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Date: 9/25/2012 12:59:00 AM
Big congratulations Debs , well deserved xx
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Date: 8/9/2012 9:06:00 AM
I have been missing too many of your poems..........which I can see is my own misfortune. Always deeper and rich with worthy and thoughtful lines. This is no exception. :)
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Date: 8/7/2012 12:01:00 PM
great write Debbie,so much blood shed to acquire wealth
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Date: 8/6/2012 11:01:00 PM
I respect your word,concept arrangements - nice duality with "red cent" too - charity,hope,beauty,the many forms they may manifest - with respect, J.A.B. %
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Date: 8/6/2012 2:51:00 PM
see, so much of my time is spent wasting time that i lose track of time so i don't know when it's time to read a poem as intricately and insightful as this one..sorry debbie, that i've missed a lot of your great poetry because i'm being beaten up by the homeless in hell....but i'll go back a few...you do have a wondrous way with words girl...your phriend and phiend PHREEPOETREE ~free cee!~
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Date: 8/6/2012 12:07:00 PM
Very good Pantoum by you Debi.Enjoyed reading it.
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Date: 8/6/2012 11:30:00 AM
DEbbie, I like this form and this poem, blood money is right, if for the contest, good luck...David
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