Strong Feelings About Money
I am married to a man who gives money generously
Not only to me but to every person with their hand out
This used to not be a problem but these days panhandlings is a full-time job.
The panhandlers get together and ask “Have you seen Joe today?
What direction was he heading?”
They know his haunts. Dollar store, gas station, Arby’s, McDonald’s, Wendy’s
They cry when they see it is me driving.
I am not thrilled giving away my money
I was forced to give up my money at the age of eighteen
After I had saved every check for three years
Because my parents said they could not afford college.
When my twin and I got there my parents demanded I fork over my money
Money I had earned while my twin was in track, GRA, Y-teen
Money I had earned at $1.25 an hour for four hours after school.
And all day on Saturday.
They wanted my money so my twin could go to college.
"It would not be fair if one twin got to go, and the other twin did not.
Fair?
They were talking about fair?
My mother said "We are going to take you home if you do not
give us your passbook."
I was eighteen, I thought they could take college away.
I had no advocate so I reluctantly relented.
I would not have been so reluctant
If my twin had WANTED to go to college.
She was sobbing and wailing because she did not want to be there.
I do not think she attended classes more than a week.
I was sobbing and wailing because my parents STOLE my money.
Money they said they would pay back.
I had no guarantee of this, now that they had violated my trust.
Some kid was hotfooting it to my car today.
Feeling strongly he was going to ask me for money I wanted to pull out.
A lady whizzed in, cornering me, so I was still there upon his arrival.
Um, ma’am, he said “Could you spare a few dollars?”
Instantly furious I yelled this “I just retired. I worked hard for my money.
Get OUT OF MY WAY!”
I know my husband would have handed him money
And maybe a key to the car or groceries.
But my husband did not have MY parents.
His trust was NOT violated.
He thinks I am selfish for not giving.
I am not selfish, I am remembering....
Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2024
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