Landlord Poem by gershon hepner

The landlord’s asking for his rent,
demanding that I pay it stat;
whatever money I begat
he’s wants. Declares he’s heaven sent
but I know though he calls himself
the lord he is the devil.
Our playing field’s not level.
I’ll have to let him take my pelf,
but I will save the rest
of what I have, the best,
I mean my family and soul.
Those he cannot evict, since they
are joined to me forever.
I’ll pay his rent but never
let him take my best parts away,
and if he think he can he under-
estimates me, he
will have to learn from me
that e is making a big blunder,
for I have suffered such a lot
that I don’t feel the need
to pay to his threats heed,
and give him all that I have got.
All my wealth of course he’s free
to take but he must leave
me free still to believe
that he’s not got the best of me.

Inspired by Bob Dylan’s song, “Dear Landlord.”
Dear landlord,
Please don't put a price on my soul.
My burden is heavy,
My dreams are beyond control.
When that steamboat whistle blows,
I'm gonna give you all I got to give,
And I do hope you receive it well,
Dependin' on the way you feel that you live.
Dear landlord,
Please heed these words that I speak.
I know you've suffered much,
But in this you are not so unique.
All of us, at times, we might work too hard
To have it too fast and too much,
And anyone can fill his life up
With things he can see but he just cannot touch.
Dear landlord,
Please don't dismiss my case.
I'm not about to argue,
I'm not about to move to no other place.
Now, each of us has his own special gift
And you know this was meant to be true,
And if you don't underestimate me,
I won't underestimate you.


1/24/10