Poor

I earnt my poverty
without knowing I was
doing work that would bring it
and now I swim
in a cold, deep sea

I earnt a poverty
so deep and cruel
that I cannot find
any comfort
and want to drown
but cannot
force my arms
to surrender

I am nothing
I know it
why would anyone
want to love me?
I have nothing
to offer
but the howls of
a child
lost lonely and cold

I am nothing
I know it
and inside me
a small unstillable
voice
is crying out
for her
to enrich me

but no one hears.