Forget the Varnish

Here wealth rides on his high horse.
His saddle bags are full;
the water in his canteen pure.
His face is beautiful
and his hair is clean;
there is no dirtiness we can see.

With him he brings stories,
knowledge, medicine, success.
The poor crowd his horse's legs, begging.
But all he can do is throw them coins
and give them books
filled with tales and words
they cannot read.

He has brought many things;
and he has not failed
to bring his ignorance.
He does not realize that
bending down
from his high horse
will eventually break his back.

He must be willing to break his own heart.
To teach them, he must get down
and become one
with them. He, the teacher,
must learn to be taught.
He must get down from his high horse,
and rise above the notion
that there is not much more to life
than wealth.