what is that R100 to me
the one you dismiss and throw around like pocket change
how important can it truly be
I realise to you this might all sound petty and strange
but to me it has value
of greater kind, this 10x10 amount
in the eye of this beholder, I argue,
in my world it opens up a riches of no bound
my family can flavour
five packets of spaghetti with delectable taste
five nights we can savour
bliss on our pallets with spice and paste
and together with that
five loaves of bread, ten milk and an egg or two
it wouldn’t make us fat
but laughter will fill the house, why be blue?
twice I could make
our car’s fuel light disappear
no empty mistake
would leave us stranded, no nighttime fear
ink in the printer,
now there’s an idea, ‘ need that
and now in winter
could put gas in the heater…. fact!
and the nasty cough you’ve had
I’d make better, get meds in a flash
before it gets too bad
‘cause if it did, we can’t to the doc quickly dash
or maybe you just need
to hear that I’m listening, over tea
we’ll share indeed
a big piece of cake, you choose, not me
I would buy you airtime
lots of it, so you can be safe out there
phones no more work with a dime
you need to feel safe, be brave, dare
you see, my friend,
a R100 note is more than you see
not having it feels like the end
if no alternative to it there’d be
I could spoil you
with steak and drink, but I would not
although it’d make you less blue
but I’m trying to stretch it, you forgot?
it has to last us
and I’ll make it work, you’ll see
so hold the bus
that dismissed R100 is well worth gold to me
it’s the difference between
fear and safety, despair and calm
as the month pass lean
I hold this gem for security in my palm
you see, in my hand
I would hold the secret to a smile
as time runs out like sand
we will dance, not crawl the last mile
© Delene de Wet
(386 Words)
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