A poor room homed me in the childhood With cold stone walls and a leaky stove; Some days were spent under cover With a hoody, a hat and pair of glove.
Nathless, there was no poverty of food; My mother managed well the stew With rice, potatoes and some carrots, Her care cook'd a lot out of few.
Beside, the careless neighbours stood With a lil bowl of sugar and eggs, Trading on a sip of juice for gossips, Paying the fee of the one who begs.
Way-outie, we were never even gloomy; Despite the days of water and light off, Mother managed the waves of hardship Like the sailor's star never falling off.
Is a grace of God, the unfortunate broom In which I scarce tasted thick happiness? Sugar tastes sour after golden honey; For rich, my treasure was unhappiness.
I enjoyed the oxford blue sky of the moon While mom sweeped the streets for stubs, I jumped up moon-high finding pennies Far away the parties' hubhubs.
What a pity I feel now, for all the poor Who had money, goods and no misery; They know nothing what is life like, But for true rich, life itself is glittery.