It was you who said that
it’s not what you earn but
how little you need. That
was the way to fly
in their face— living
within your means
is no good to them. They
want your soul, your very
soul, make it drown
in debt and fed
on all the salt
and fat
and lies you can swallow.
And they want you bound
to their state, you said,
their secret,
silent state. Well, I don’t
know about that, but
your answer was simple, a firm riposte
which said ‘no’. It meant
watching the pennies
and paying your dues. Keeping it
simple,
not listening
to the news
poem © copyright David F. Barker 2012
Ciscography 
i think keeping it simple and not spending more money than we have is not at all a bad way to live life…keeps us independent…. and mobile..
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i feel this rebellion deeply….they want you to spend and hook the chains of debt around you…it keeps you in line…i def dont subscribe to it after breaking free of it a few years ago…def agree with living within your means…which takes diligence…
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make it drown
in debt and fed
on all the salt
and fat
and lies you can swallow
Yes. I love this poem. Beautifully drawn and strongly said.
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Perfectly well said, David! I really like this one; the way you conveyed the message and the message itself!
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Love this, David.Keeping it simple – indeed! K
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Living within your means as rebellion – what a strange concept and one I’ve practiced all my life. Of course, if we all did that, the world economy would tank even worse than it has!
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I really like this. Political poetry is rare these days, but some things need to be said as forcefully as possible, and poetry is very forceful.
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They
want your soul, your very
soul, make it drown
in debt and fed
on all the salt
and fat
and lies you can swallow.
Powerful stuff… I like your ending solution.
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Amen! These days, that is the ultimate rebellion!
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Yes – powerful message – I think not joining into consumerism a real rebellion! (Says me on one of more-than-one Apple devices! – Oh well. I don’t own so much other than computer equipment.) k.
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‘watching your pennies and paying your dues’ – I think this poem itself is priceless.
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I love this poem. The concept is superior, and many of us could learn a thing or two from this poem.
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Keeping it simple…. I like that…. I like it a lot.
Inspiring thoughts.
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Political and social straitjackets get worn out then tend to be replaced with new and tighter ones! But your soul is the golden chalice that should never be for sale or trade!
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The first few lines ring true with my philosophy.
Great poem David.
David. L
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Yes, sage advice indeed….and now I am living that walk the walk….it’s so liberating…how less is more.
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I can relate to your words… I feel sometimes that people want me to fail so they can take my money and laugh in my face.
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really enjoyed this piece especially the ending, nicely done.
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Good write keeping it simple not listening to the news good lines
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Isn’t it just fascinating that a financially conservative life, not bound to supporting consumerism and out-of-control debt would have been exactly how my grandparents lived. And they certainly never once considered themselves counter-cultural or rebellious! I appreciate the message and the challenge. Debra
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very well written thought provoking poem, David.
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Excellently done! Keeping it simple! It may not be easy but it’s the right thing to do! I love it!
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Simplicity and focusing on the positives are such victorious life choices, I think.
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Material wants are such chains on our lives … on our souls! Very powerful piece!
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