Poverty's Shadow #2151

Poverty's Shadow Poverty is not just food stamps, not mere shelter's need, It’s an isolated social evil, where many woes proceed. A catalyst, a breeding ground, where sorrows intertwine, Family breakup, stress and strife, relationship's decline. Unemployment knocks on doors, despair it firmly plants, Drug and alcohol's grim embrace, in poverty's dark trance. Three out of four, one paycheck short, of being cast aside, Into the arms of homelessness, where broken spirits hide. Street outreach becomes the key, to learn and deeply see, The faces and the stories, of those in misery. The righteous, hearts with concern, seek justice for the poor, While wicked souls, devoid of care, let suffering endure. "The righteous is concerned," it’s written, wisdom's old decree, "For the rights of those in poverty," with hearts that feel and see. But wicked ones, they turn away, their hearts devoid of light, They cannot grasp the burdened souls, lost in poverty's night. So let us stand with open hearts, and hands outstretched in care, To fight the evil poverty, with love and justice fair. For in the fight to lift the poor, our true humanity, Is found within the righteous act, of boundless charity. -Steven G. Lee (July 3, 2024)