In shadows cast by judgment’s glare,
I tread the path, hanging on to a prayer,
In search of empathy from the ones who see,
A heart that beats and yearns to be free.

My brothers, sisters, lost in vain thoughts,
In streets where refuge is dearly sought,
Yet weary words, from sharpened tongues,
Dismantle dreams, when ambition is gone.

I wear the cloak of whispered shame,
While laughter hides behind my name,
They gaze from heights of feigned grace,
Blind to the struggles that I daily face.

“Why bother, then?” my heart does cry,
When every hand I reach for, slides on by,
They chat and mock, yet fail to know,
The depth of distress, that tides and flows.

A private soul, the black sheep’s plight,
From familiar gatherings, I must take flight,
For eyes that see not, hearts that turn,
Leave embers cold, no warmth to burn.

“Taker,” they call out, with voices of disdain,
Yet alms won’t lessen the weight of my pain,
For into the depths, where shadows play,
My injured spirit shuffles on its way.

But telling my sad tale is of little worth,
Like casting seeds on a barren earth,
What must I do to break this mold?
To rise like dawn, from a night so cold.

In this vast city, where whispers weave,
A quest for hope, a chance to believe,
That beyond the scorn and their muted yells,
Lie bonds of charity, where acceptance dwells.

So watch me rise, unbound and free,
From chains of guilt that shackled me,
For though they see a face of despair,
I still believe, that my Savior cares.

Edited by: ElRoyPoet, 2025

Poem Analysis:

In a world that often emphasizes connection and community, the isolation and misunderstandings experienced by the impoverished can be profound. The poet’s candid expression of their struggles reveals not only a deep-seated fear of homelessness but also the emotional toll of feeling judged and marginalized by society.

This lament about the lack of genuine support from others resonates with psychological principles surrounding social motivations and stigma. According to social psychologist Brené Brown, feelings of worthiness stem from vulnerability; however, the very experiences of poverty and homelessness put individuals at risk of shame and exclusion. The speaker has internalized this stigma, leading to the terse realization, “Why bother, then?” Each rejection reinforces the belief that asking for help is futile, pushing them further into isolation. This mirrors the concept of learned helplessness, where repeated failures lead individuals to believe they cannot change their circumstances or elicit support from others.

The statement “Taker” implies that the speaker believes people see him as a taker rather than a giver, highlighting how poverty is often perceived as a moral failing rather than a result of systemic issues. The affluent individuals around the speaker may view their situation through the lens of privilege, leading them to conclude that lack of success is indicative of laziness or deficiency. This misconception reflects the fundamental attribution error, where people attribute others’ circumstances to character flaws rather than acknowledging external factors such as economic hardship or lack of opportunity.

In the Bible, the notion of community and support for the less fortunate is emphasized in numerous passages. For instance, 1 John 3:17-18 states, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” This verse underscores the moral imperative to help those in need rather than casting judgment. The speaker’s experience of being ridiculed and dismissed starkly contrasts with these biblical teachings, highlighting a tragic disconnect between religious principles and human behavior.

Furthermore, the depiction of the speaker as “the black sheep’s plight, In familiar gatherings,” speaks to the painful reality many face when they feel ostracized by their own communities. The sentiment mirrors James 2:1-4, which cautions against favoritism and highlights the need to treat all individuals with dignity, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The biblical call to love one another is devoid of societal hierarchies, yet the speaker experiences the harsh reality of living in a society that often idolizes the wealthy, while dismissing the plight of the poor.

The speaker’s resignation, articulated in the phrase, “But telling my sad tale is of little worth,” encapsulates a sense of despair and helplessness. This echoes the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The biblical text encourages compassion and action towards those deemed marginalized. Yet the speaker’s reality reflects a community that has failed to embody these teachings.

In conclusion, the struggles articulated by the speaker serve as a poignant reminder of the psychological and social barriers faced by individuals living in poverty. Their experiences illuminate the gap between societal values and actions, calling into question the empathy and support extended to those in need. Bridging this gap requires not only individual compassion but a systemic re-evaluation of how society perceives and supports its most vulnerable members. Ultimately, as we reflect on both psychological insights and biblical teachings, we are called to foster a community that embraces all individuals, recognizing and affirming their inherent worth.

“The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” By: Mahatma Gandhi

“We are all enmeshed in this form of subjectivity, conditioning ourselves to fit with the demands of the market, and expecting others to do the same. Yet our data show that this way of thinking allows the poor to be blamed for their misfortune, and encourages opposition to interventions to support them in favor of attempts to change individual mindsets and behavior patterns. At its extreme, it harms the middle class too…
There’s one problem: mindsets are not free-floating. They are neither optional strategies that everyone can freely adopt nor value-neutral ways of enhancing well-being. Instead, they are embedded in life conditions that have material, social and ideological dimensions, and this is just as true for those of us living in poverty as it is for the rest of us living in financial comfort…
Imagine for a moment what scarcity and instability might feel like at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder. You are constantly uncertain whether you will earn enough money (will your employer give you the hours you need this week?), while trying to avoid unexpected financial demands (will your child need a new school uniform, or will your car need repairs?). If you’re unable to pay rent, your family loses their home…
A person in this situation is not mindlessly pessimistic and blind to opportunities to fulfil their aspirations; they’re regulating emotions and conserving their energies so that they don’t face continual disappointment or overlook very real threats. In Hand to Mouth (2014), a powerful chronicle of surviving on a low-wage job in the US, Linda Tirado writes: ‘We don’t plan long term because if we do we’ll just get our hearts broken. It’s best not to hope. You just take what you can get as you spot it.’…
To make it easier for people to adopt a mindset that unlocks flourishing, we should first ensure that their needs are met in a stable way, so they experience real control over their life circumstances and have a future that is worth investing in.”
Excerpts from: Why we shouldn’t push a positive mindset on those in poverty

“Since it’s often impossible to get a reasonable sense of what will happen in the future, it’s unfair to blame people with good intentions who end up worse off as a result of unforeseen circumstances. This leads to the conclusion that compassion, not blame, is the appropriate attitude towards those who act in good faith but whose bets in life don’t pay off…Despair thrives where empathy is missing; right now, our lack of compassion for one another is killing us…No matter how smart we think we are, there’s a hard limit on what we can know, and we could easily end up on the losing end of a big bet. We owe it to ourselves, and others, to build a more compassionate world.” Excerpt from The mathematical case against blaming people for their misfortune

Commentary: There’s a universal belief that success and self-worth are nearly identical, and if you’re rich, you must either be smart or hardworking. But if you’re poor, you must have messed up somewhere along the way. People like to believe that they’ve gotten to where they are because they’re talented or have earned it. That may be true to some extent, but it’s also a fact that there are people who could have been equally smart or talented and not in that position because of the barriers that were erected to impede them. It’s hard to accept the idea that maybe somebody else deserves to be where they are more than they do. I think almost everybody wants to be able to tell a story of making it on their own. However, does that give them the right to have contempt for the less fortunate?

Definition: In a meritocracy, there will always be winners and losers because it takes money and influence to generate more wealth and obtain more privilege. The reason there is inequality of outcome is that there is inequality in the opportunities or avenues available to influence a more favorable outcome.

Neoliberalism Has Poisoned Our Minds To Prefer Inequality

Final thoughts: Throughout life, individuals face numerous challenges that can alter their beliefs and perspectives. It’s not uncommon for people to blame others for their faults and shortcomings because acknowledging personal flaws can lead to low self-esteem. Blaming others for one’s weaknesses perpetuates a victim mentality and hinders personal growth. While it is true that upbringing and environment play a significant role in shaping one’s character, it is up to an individual to take responsibility for their own life.

Validating an individual solely on their abilities can foster a competitive and intolerant mindset where people are encouraged to focus solely on themselves and their achievements, which could potentially disregard the needs of others. This prejudiced attitude can create a hostile environment that does not foster compassion and empathy. Consequently, interacting with impatient bigots becomes counterproductive, as they may perceive non-affluent people as ignorant or hysterical. Bullies, in particular, demonstrate no sympathy and escalate confrontations, callously pushing the victim to experience anxiety, depression, or even a nervous breakdown.

When someone’s worth is based solely on their perceived status, it can lead to the belief that those who have achieved the most are most deserving of resources and opportunities, while those who have not are deemed unworthy. This attitude punishes individuals facing hardships, as their struggles are seen as a result of their own inadequacies rather than a product of various life circumstances. In conclusion, recognizing that individuals are defined by their struggles, experiences, and values, not just their accomplishments, creates a more peaceful community that fosters human connection and belonging.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who came before you.” Matthew 5:3-12

What did Jesus really mean when he said, “The poor you will always have with you”?

Perhaps, “The poor you will always have with you,” doesn’t mean what you think it means