Richer by Far

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

Richer by Far

She was left with little
an outcast from family
shunned by the community
and yet she gave her all.

Richer by far is the one
who knows that love holds
a sweet alabaster morning
for the tender of heart.

The God of ancestors and offspring
is not ashamed by our poverty
only by our dark selfishness
that causes us to hold love back.

Richer by far is the ragged beggar
than the club member, the owner
richer by far is the needy child
than the one swaddled in linen.

The divine Creator made us for sharing
for a deep rooted family and clan
where love is the royal adornment
and self offering our true gift.

Richer by far are we when
we smile at love in the morning
tuck the sweet children in at night
and know that we are blesed.