Rich Man Poor Man

Rich Man Poor Man

Once I was a rich man,
And I had everything,
And everything I had had its place.
Now I am a poor man,
And I own not a thing,
Except the smile that I wear upon my face.

When I was a rich man,
The thing I cared about,
Was how I could make more of that dough.
Now I am a poor man,
It makes me want to shout,
To the people out there who just do not know.

When I was a rich man,
I had so many friends ,
We could've overwhelmed the Taliban.
Now I am a poor man,
The true ones in the end,
I can count all of them just on one hand.

When I was a rich man,
I had money I could burn,
I could have anything I ever wanted for.
Now I am a poor man,
The lesson I have learned ,
Who is the rich and who really is the poor.

When I was a rich man,
I had everything to give,
But I kept everything all to myself.
Now I am a poor man,
And I'm struggling to live,
But never have I had so much wealth.

Look at all the rich men,
But they aren't rich at all,
They just can't see for the dollar signs in their eyes.
I am just a poor man,
I'm mistaken for a fool,
The personification of all that they despise.

When I see a rich man,
I want to scream at him,
“Leave the rats and come and join the human race.
For I am just a poor man,
And I own not a thing,
Except the smile that I wear upon my face.”

By J. Barrett