Thrift

Nearly all things
pertinent to life
are dispensed
in measured
finite quantities
money
clothing
shelter
food
water
oxygen
even relationships
and our life itself
in precious drops
moments
of time

So, thrift in
nearly all things
is merely a logical use
of these resources
in appreciation
of their value
their basic
necessity
to our
survival

But even frugality
can go too far-
when it becomes
a competition
us against them
a vicious fist-fight
in the bargain-bins of life
when it makes us afraid
that there's not enough
to 'go around' 
robbing us of compassion
or understanding
or greater vision
when it destroys our ability to
hope for better things
withholding the means to
achieve our most
important dreams
it becomes counterproductive
to its very purpose...

By all means, use your life
and all that you have carefully
gratefully and mindfully
but in all your various economy-
always remember to
spend your dreams lavishly
and spare no kindness

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/6/2018 6:28:00 PM

this is really wonderful! I never read a poem before that discussed 'thrift" outside of the ordinary like thrift shopping etc. It really makes the reader stop and think.(by the way, I am a huge fan of thrift shops!)

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 11/7/2018 5:41:00 AM

Glad you liked it... (and I love thrift shops, too!) Thank you for the lovely comment, my friend! ;)

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/5/2018 10:19:00 AM

Beautifully empathetic, and kind, Rhona. I loved this part: "But even frugality can go too far- when it becomes a competition us against them a vicious fist-fight in the bargain-bins of life when it makes us afraid that there's not enough to 'go around' robbing us of compassion or understanding or greater vision"

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 11/5/2018 4:05:00 PM

Thank you! ;) That was actually my favorite part, too (along with the very last line... which stuck in my head for a week or two until I wrote this).

Rico Leffanta

Date: 11/4/2018 1:05:00 PM

Nicely done, Rhona! Aloha! Rico

Rhona Mcferran
Date: 11/4/2018 6:35:00 PM

Thank you so much!! Aloha! ;)