Rich For a Day

A man with no more than a hole in his pocket 
The clothes on his back and a picture in a locket
Propped up some cardboard in a dim alleyway
When a stranger came up with something to say
He wore a suit and tie with a leather briefcase
And a thoughtful, yet mischievous look on his face
“I’m tired son, money has led my feet astray.
How’d you like to switch and be rich for a day?”
There must be a catch but with nothing to lose
They traded everything, right down to the shoes
He spent the day walking and looking around
He kept his head up instead of down at the ground
He smiled at strangers who in turn, did the same
Not turning away at his sight, in pity or shame
He asked for directions even though he wasn’t lost
Just to see who would answer without an accost
Walking tall all day counted the people he did meet
And not one, today, avoided him by crossing the street
He went back to the alley where the rich man said he’d stay
He said, “So chap, what did you do while rich for a day?”
He peered in his wallet and thought hard for a time
“You had this all day and you didn’t spend a dime?”
As they swapped back their clothes, the poor man explained
“You have all this money but are exhausted and drained.
I didn’t spend a thing but cleaned up in these stitches, 
I experienced a different kind of wealth and riches
No one saw me and assumed I deserved shame and neglect
I walked around today and was rich with respect
I didn’t try to get ahead using money or power
Just happy not to have to beg, head hung in a cower.”
He gripped his locket and thought of important things
And knew he held close what really pulled the heartstrings
The rich man nodded and shook the poor man’s hand
Perhaps he’d been living with his head in the sand
The next day he went back but the poor man was gone
All that remained was the cardboard he’d slept on
And a locket from a pocket that escaped from a hole
A picture inside of a woman that warmed his cold soul
He decided to use his wealth for more than his greed
And never turned a blind eye to someone in need
He began to see people in a much different way
And perhaps it was himself, who became rich that day
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 1/12/2023 3:36:00 PM
Really delightful tale, Hat
Login to Reply
Bueckert Avatar
Hat Bueckert
Date: 1/12/2023 8:23:00 PM
Thanks Jeff! :)
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter