One Million Quest Poem by Thabani Khumalo

I DROPPED A LOT OF FORTITUDE
IN MY QUEST TO GET A MILLION.
WORD AND STONE THAT I LET GO -
TWO THINGS I COULD ’NT CALL BACK,

I CALLED A HEARTLESS MURDERER
TO COME AND KILL MY PITY;
I TOSSED AROUND A PEBBLE ‘N NOW
MY HOUSE OF GLASS IS SHATTERED.

I LEARNED IT ALL FROM PURCHASES
THAT PAYING MORE CREATES CHANGE
SO I HAVE TO EARN A MILLION.
IF I WON’T I’LL GO AND TAKE MORE.

I WISH I HAD A TRILLION
BUT, I HAVE TO PASS A BILLION.
FOR THAT PROMISE OF A BILLION,
I'M IN QUEST TO GET A MILLION.

I HAVE TO SHARE THIS POVERTY
WITH SNAKES, AND RATS AND BOXES -
I HAVE TO MAKE MY SACRIFICE.
IF IT KILLS ME, THEN, I’LL LET IT BE.

I'VE PUT DOWN STACKS OF MONEY
IN MY QUEST TO GET A MILLION.
I’D DOT A LIST OF CAUSES THAT
EVEN GOD CAN’T JUDGE MY CAUSES,

I ONLY HAVE GOT ONE LIFE
BUT IT’S TAINTED WITH THIS HARDSHIP.
I'M GROWING INTO PEASANTRY,
IN SHAME AND SHEAR POVERTY.

TIME AND OPPORTUNITY
IS SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS,
IT’S GETTING WORSE BETWEEN MY TOES
AND I'M TRYING TO FIX THIS LIFE FOR ME.