Howard’s table

Written in 2002

I want to tell you a story;
it’s a bit like a fable
about the crumbs that fall
from off the rich man’s table –
they scatter far and wide.
They’ll never be enough to enable
justice to prevail.
All the hand-outs and the hand-me-downs
can’t give equality,
they’ll never be enough to provide
income security.
I thank you for your condescending words
and your philanthropy
I noticed how you look up to them
and how you look down on me.
I thank you for the lukewarm soup –
for your generosity.
I look forward to the day
that I’ll be secure enough to say
“Stick your charity”.