What Does Poverty Cost?

What does poverty cost?

It costs livelihoods.

It costs kids in woods

Hunting for their families.

It costs little girls

Missing worlds

Of education

To fetch water.

It costs mothers

Starving to help her children

And fathers letting go of pride

To feed those inside

His home.

It costs older brothers

Doing dangerous things

To catch a few shillings

From a rich man willing.

It costs older sisters

Giving up their bodies

And dignities

For a little feed.

It costs the little ones

To feel guilty

Because they’re so unable

To help.

It costs bystanders

A little pity

And maybe empathy

When they hear a cry

For help

So, what does poverty cost?

It costs one a chance at life.