Better Off

Do you have money?
Do many people
Work for you? Are you
Handy in a fight?
You’ll get respect, then,

You’ll get some respect,
Whatever you preach
Or others preach re
The way things should be.
Respect’s addictive

As money, fighting,
Giving out orders—
Addictive as love,
Life, tranquility.
All addictions. Choose.

It’s not what you can
Do without that counts
Unless you can do
Without and without
Longing for respect.