Latorial Faison When We Were Poor

When We Were Poor

By Latorial Faison

When we were poor
we had more ambition
more self respect
we knew the value
of a week's paycheck

When we were poor
we praised one God
shared one love
had a common goal
to rise above

When we were poor
we laughed, we cried
we remembered history
and those who died
now we live without that pride.

Now that we have
we seem to have forgotten
the requirements, the dreams
and the core of self respect
instilled way down inside us.

Now that we have
it's often every man for himself
to get and to get more
so that for the next man
there's not much left.

Now that we have
we love less, we hate more
the sisters and brothers
we walked hand in hand with
when we were poor.

* * * * *

Latorial Faison is a native of Courtland, Virginia. She's a graduate of UVA and VA TECH. Latorial has authored two collections of poetry, Secrets Of My Soul (2001) and Immaculate Perceptions (Cross Keys Press, 2002). Her work has been featured in various literary journals, magazines and websites. Most recently, Latorial was published in Tavis Smiley's latest anthology, Keeping the Faith. She teaches English and Writing in Central Texas where she resides with her husband and two sons. Latorial is currently working on a third book of poetry, a children's book and possibly a fiction novel. Visit her online at http://www.latorialfaison.com/