Old Timer's Ethic: A Short Poem

I got no change in my pocket.

I'm hardly makin' my wage.

Barack is the president,

and people are fightin' for change.

But no, I won't take no welfare,

I wouldn't take a dollar or a dime.

I'll walk a hundred miles

with these two good legs of mine.

Just for a job,

twenty bucks on the day.

I'll work twice as hard as any man

for only half the pay.

No, I won't take your food card.

I wouldn't take my brothers bread.

I'll walk a hundred miles

just to feed you, friend.

I'll skip half my meals

and take a cut in pay.

I'll pick and plow

and rake the leaves

just to survive this age.

But no, I won't take your welfare

If you need it that's fine,

but how could I,

with these two good legs of mine?

So let me feed you friend,

with my blood and sweat and tears.

I've fed my family off this back

for eighty-seven years.

Short Poems About Life:

• Whiskey & a Bible
• Behind the Reflection