The stoics believed we should rehearse
for death
for homelessness
for starvation.
I haven’t eaten a meal in 36 hours
and it feels great.
Yesterday, I got an eviction notice.
I thought I paid my rent
but I forgot.
There was no warning. No nice message.
Just a court summons, and a 75 dollar fine
“Vacate, within 15 days, if you can’t pay.”
It makes me want to stay
until the police come.
It turns my heart hard.
We are done with being a caring society. There is a polite veneer
that covers up reality.
It makes me want to see society burn
while I roast my weenies over my campfire
and bathe in Lake Wilderness—a true hobo
The Stoics knew what they were doing
practicing for chaos
When Thomas Edison’s warehouse burned
and many of his experiments were destroyed
He told his son, “Go get your mother. She’s never seen a fire like this.”
The world wants money
and it’s still in debt.
Having kids
can be a pain,
but if you don’t have them
what will you do when you get old?
Rely on the government?
They will kick you out
onto the street
into the cold
and turn you into a Walmart Greeter
with a fake smile.
For some reason, I think of the sweet lady
at the U-Scan
who smokes like a chimney
and eats chicken-pot-pies
due to inflation.
I paid my bill
that was due
and took one step closer
to oblivion
with my back
firmly set
against society.
If I could live on words
I would.
“Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Intellectual Shaman 
Interesting thoughts, with a splash of present day truths. Alone is a grand endeavor, which I treasure close to my heart. I wonder what Seneca would’ve thought about today’s world?
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He probably would have run for the hills. That’s what he did when he realized Nero was getting paranoid. It didn’t save him, though.
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No one could blame him, then or now.
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Nero was a scary dude! For sure, I don’t blame Seneca.
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dynamite writing. Excruciatingly real.
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Thanks, threadbee!!! What a nice comment!
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An eviction notice without warning. Now that’s low. What’s wrong with people today. Have we left our hearts and consciences in the dumpster outside Walmart? What a sorry state of affairs.
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Yes, I walked into my manager’s office and talked to her about it. She told me it was only procedure. I’ve been here for two years. Time to leave. 🙂
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not sure why i’m laughing but the poetic choice in words was outstanding! 💖
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I think the most serious content should be humorous. If we can’t laugh at life when it hurts, we are in a really bad place. Laughter is Freedom! Poetry Transmutes the Bad! Amen! 🙂
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Sooo true!!
💕
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Excellent = you have hit the nail on the head! We need to re-learn all the things we have forgotten….like caring…and putting on three more jumpers instead of raising the heat, Get out of our cars and get back to the real world. I am with the Stoics:)
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The stoics were wise. That is for sure!!! Thanks for reading and commenting, Janet!!!
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‘The world wants money
and it’s still in debt’
Love these lines, though the whole poem resonates.
I think it’s time to change what the world wants.
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Maybe, poetry will change the world. It’s worth a try! I’m glad that my lines spoke to you, Rae! Thanks for reading! 🙂
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