Money can’t buy me love,
But I can buy more time.
In fleeting moments, I chase the thrill,
Hoping my heart’s empty spaces, money will fill .
Yet laughter drifts like autumn leaves,
Golden and beautiful, but destined to fail,
And those smiles fade, just as quickly as they came—
What then, when my fun turns frigid?

I must beware, for sometimes—
Fun times morph into a hell of a time,
A night out with friends, the music blaring,
The money flowing, and the spirits soaring.
But shadows linger in the glow of lights,
And the price of pleasure steepens,
Moments of joy crushed beneath the weight—
Of a bill that hungers for more than just cold cash.

Especially when I’ve run out of currency,
When laughter turns into whispers of regret,
And the vibrant scene dims into silence,
Echoes of joy haunt my empty pockets.
In desperation, my jilted heart races,
Chasing memories that now feel like chains,
For every dollar spent was a moment seized,
But what about a life spent in vain?

And I can’t buy my way back home
To freedom and my peace of mind.
Where warmth is measured by love’s embrace,
Where laughter knows no price tag,
Where every heartbeat is worth more than silver.
Yet here I stand, a prisoner of my own choices,
In a world where wealth is king—
I bartered my time for wanton desires,
Only to find myself in a cage of needs.

Poem Prompt:

Money can’t buy you love,
But you can buy more time.
Beware, for sometimes
Fun times morph into a hell of a time—
Especially when you’ve run out of money
And can’t buy your way back home
To freedom.

Spanish Translation

El dinero no puede comprarte amor,
Pero puedes comprar más tiempo.
Cuidado porque a veces,
El tiempo divertido se convierte en un infierno;
Especialmente cuando te quedas sin dinero,
Y no puedes comprar tu camino de regreso,
A la libertad.

Editado y traducido por: ElRoyPoet, 2025

If money doesn’t buy happiness, you’re spending it wrong | Your Brain on Money

Commentary: When you love somebody, you find joy in giving tangible gifts to your loved ones. The only way to facilitate human interactions is through fiscal transactions. However, if you become financially unstable, and you can’t give anything of value anymore—what can you do to let your loved ones know you’re thinking about them? You could offer them your time, but after a while, you might become annoying, and nobody would want you around, especially if you have your own opinions. In the end, your heart would have to move on, along with your love for them, causing it to become jaded because it was only being used for gain.

The Interplay between Love, Money, and True Connection

In today’s materialistic society, it is often thought that love can be measured by the tangible gifts we give to those we cherish. The act of giving—often interpreted through the lens of fiscal transactions—has become a predominant mode of expressing affection. Yet, this emphasis on material exchange raises complex questions about the nature of love and the human condition. What happens when financial limitations inhibit our ability to give gifts? This essay explores how genuine love operates beyond fiscal transactions, incorporating elements of psychology and biblical references to illustrate the value of connection, presence, and the human heart.

The Psychology of Giving and Receiving

From a psychological standpoint, the act of giving gifts can be deeply fulfilling. According to a study published in the journal Psychological Science, individuals who frequently engage in acts of kindness or generosity—whether through giving gifts or offering support—experience greater personal happiness than those who do not. This phenomenon can be attributed to what psychologists call the “helper’s high,” where the act of giving triggers the release of endorphins, leading to feelings of joy and increased well-being.

However, this joy is intricately tied to the perception of value; the assumption that love must be demonstrated through material means can become problematic. When individuals become financially constrained, they may feel a sense of loss and inadequacy. The inability to provide tangible gifts can lead to feelings of worthlessness, reinforcing a belief that love is conditional and transaction-based. Consequently, one might spiral into despair, believing that their ability to connect with others diminishes when they lack financial resources.

The Limits of Physical Presence

Offering time as a substitute for material gifts can seem like a reasonable alternative. However, as the argument posits, excessive emotional or physical presence may lead to annoyance or overstaying one’s welcome. This phenomenon resonates with psychological concepts rooted in personal boundaries and social comfort. Eric Berne’s Transactional Analysis theory suggests that healthy relationships require an equal exchange of emotional and psychological resources. If one party begins to dominate or demand too much, the dynamic can become strained, leading to relationship breakdown.

The Bible also offers wisdom regarding boundaries and relationships. Proverbs 25:17 advises, “Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest they grow weary of you and hate you.” This illustrates the importance of balance in relationships, shedding light on the reality that love should not solely exist in physical presence or fiscal transactions but rather in mutual respect and emotional support.

The Heart’s Resilience and Challenges

When love is perceived as transactional, it can lead to a form of emotional detachment and jadedness. The idea that love is contingent upon one’s ability to give materially produces a cycle of dependence and emotional exhaustion. The heart, initially brimming with affection, can become disillusioned when faced with the stark reality of fluctuating circumstances. This often results in a form of emotional numbing as individuals protect themselves from further pain, leading to a state described in psychology as “emotional bankruptcy.”

Biblically, the concept of love transcends material worth. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love is described as patient, kind, and devoid of envy, suggesting that its essence lies in emotional qualities rather than external conditions. This foundational concept of love underscores its inherent value, positioning it as a source of strength in times of adversity—instead of a mechanism for personal gain.

In essence, while tangible gifts and fiscal transactions may initially seem like appropriate measures of love, true affection thrives on emotional connection, time spent together, and mutual respect. Financial constraints should not dictate the value of relationships; rather, the intrinsic worth of love is illuminated through its manifestation in kindness, understanding, and presence. By understanding the psychological implications and biblical principles surrounding love, we can cultivate deeper relationships founded not on material wealth but on genuine human connection. Ultimately, love is enriched not by what we can give materially but by our capacity to be present, share joy, and the offering of an authentic heart.

“All human activity is prompted by desire. There is a wholly fallacious theory advanced by some earnest moralists to the effect that it is possible to resist desire in the interests of duty and moral principle. I say this is fallacious, not because no man ever acts from a sense of duty, but because duty has no hold on him unless he desires to be dutiful. If you wish to know what men will do, you must know not only, or principally, their material circumstances, but rather the whole system of their desires with their relative strengths.” Excerpt from The Four Desires Driving All Human Behavior

“In every encounter, we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange.” By: Brennan Manning

“You already know enough. So do I. It is not knowledge we lack. What is missing is the courage to understand what we know and to draw conclusions.” By: Sven Lindqvist

“Beware of those who weep with realization, for they have realized nothing.” By: Carlos Casteñeda

The Less You Want, The More You Have

Poem Analysis:

The poem presents a poignant exploration of the consequences of prioritizing material wealth and fleeting pleasures over genuine connection and inner peace. The speaker’s struggles with the concept of “buying more time” through material means, only to find themselves empty-handed, serve as a powerful commentary on the emptiness of modern life.

The poem opens with a nod to the timeless wisdom that “money can’t buy me love.” This phrase, repeated throughout the poem, serves as a refrain, emphasizing the speaker’s recognition that true fulfillment cannot be purchased. Instead, they find themselves chasing “the thrill” in fleeting moments, hoping to fill their “heart’s empty spaces” by going out to shop or party and carelessly spending their hard-earned cash. This desperate attempt to fill a void is reminiscent of Aristotle’s concept of eudaemonia, or a life of happiness and fulfillment, which is often sought through external means rather than internal cultivation.

The speaker’s experiences in the “hell of a time” serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing material pleasure over personal well-being. Despite the initial exhilaration of a night out with friends, the “shadows linger” in the “glow of lights,” highlighting the fleeting nature of these experiences. The weight of bills and the constant need for more serve as a crushing force, crushing moments of joy and leaving the speaker feeling trapped and unfulfilled.

The use of imagery and metaphor further underscores the speaker’s struggles with the concept of “buying more time.” Autumn leaves, once golden and beautiful, fade and fail, serving as a potent reminder of the transience of pleasure. Memories, too, feel like “chains,” a constant reminder of the “moments seized” at the expense of a life spent in vain. This imagery evokes a sense of longing and regret, as the speaker reflects on the choices they’ve made and the consequences that follow.

The poem’s central conceit – the idea that wealth is king and time is currency – serves as a scathing critique of modern society’s values. The speaker’s assertion that they are a “prisoner of their own choices” highlights the ways in which we often surrender our agency to the whims of consumer culture. In a world where “wealth is king,” the speaker finds themselves bartering their time for “wanton desires,” only to end up in a “cage of need.”

Ultimately, the poem presents a powerful exploration of the human condition, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of what it means to live a fulfilling life. The speaker’s search for meaning and connection in a world of fleeting pleasures serves as a powerful reminder that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be purchased, but rather cultivated through internal reflection, relationships, and a deeper understanding of our own values and desires.

Through its use of imagery, metaphor, the free verse poem creates a sense of urgency and desperation, underscoring the speaker’s struggles with the emptiness of modern life. The poem’s message – that we must look beyond the superficial trappings of success and wealth to find true fulfillment – serves as a timely reminder of the importance of living a life of intention and moderation.