A  PAUPER

I have no field to plant, to irrigate and chant
and wait for crops to come to dance and beat my drum.
I have no trees of fruit to sell and buy a suit;
I am a street ambler, or just a mere pauper.

No movies are for me; these are what l can't see.
I know the place from out, but l can't poke my snout.
A film for me is like a sharp and hateful spike
that causes me much harm as l am just a ***.

No social life is mine as all regard me down.
They address me with scorn as all my clothes are torn.
Still l'm  a human being and ask why l'm so mean
that coins l cannot reach as they're just for the rich.

I have no girl to see; a kiss from her to plea,
to play with her blond hair and smell her perfumed air.
I have no right to that; girls think l have no heart.
I dream of wild amour though l'm too mean and poor.

BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________