Category: Poetry and Prose

You can’t legislate greed. 

The part of human nature that keeps you coming back for more. 

What is enough for me, may not be enough for you. 

Circumstances are not static. 

Experiences are not carbon copies.

Memories are not imprints.

It is said that a man cannot serve two masters. 

You cannot be a servant to the desire for more-

And a desire for justice. 

Eventually, the cause of one will outweigh the needs of the other. 

When will we be satisfied with all of our gain?

When will our thirst be quenched?

When will the beast within be tamed?

You can’t legislate greed. 

In a world of law and order and sanctions-

A loophole will file another appeal.

It won’t matter how many times the pendulum swings. 

Or how many times the hourglass flips. 

The sand will always sift. 

There will always be those that have- and those that have-not. 

You can’t legislate greed. 

So let’s start in the homes. 

Let’s be thankful for what we have. 

Let’s see the beauty in the old. 

Let’s pause before we waste. 

You can’t legislate greed. 

But we can choose a better way. 

Ashley Smith, March 17, 2023.