At Carry On Tuesday, they gave us this prompt…
“This week, the opening line from Home Thoughts From Abroad. Not by Robert Browning but Clifford T Ward: I could be a millionaire if I had the money.”
Now, you know me. The first phrase that caught my pun-addled brain was “Thoughts From a Broad,” but that is so Bette Midler… Carry on! Amy
If I Had the Money
If I decided to waste a buck
I could buy a lottery ticket
I could be a millionaire…
If I had the money,
I would give it all away.
I would drop it on rainforest recovery
and houses for Katrina victims
and public education grants
(and recalling the governor of Wisconsin).
Buy canned goods, give them to pantries;
clothe the homeless, give them shelter;
feed the hungry, give them hope;
help immigrants learn English if they wanted to
so they could see beyond cleaning rich people’s bathrooms.
I would spend it so fast,
old friends couldn’t catch up to me for loans,
because the money would already be gone.
I could be a millionaire if I had the money.
But if I had a million bucks, I wouldn’t have it long!
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
North Texas Haiku
If had a million dollars…
Thanks, all I have running through my empty skull now is that Bare Naked Ladies song.
Wonderful poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much. Popped over to your blog and commented. Sorry about the endless song loop. Look at the bright side, it could have been “The Lonely Goat Herd” from “Sound of Music”!! (We call it “The Lonely Goat Turd”!) Amy
Debbie
That’s so true and so you! You would create a million smiles if you had a million dollars. Thank you for sharing your one in a million poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, this is one sweet comment. Thanks so much. You know, more than most, where that inspiration comes from! Peace, Amy
Julia Smith
Really enjoyed that – I like where your imaginary money went.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Julia. Logged into your world and loved the interview! Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh I hear you on this….so many good helpful places for money to go. Wouldnt it be great gifting the homeless and feeding the hungry?
Sharp Little Pencil
I know a guy who felt the same way. His “step-dad” was a carpenter, LOL. It’s so true… we have reminders all around us of how people are hurting. I know cash isn’t the answer, but hell, I’d LOVE to make a dent in it! (I would also establish an unbreakable trust for a small wetlands!)
Shail Raghuvanshi
Hi Amy,
That’s a lovely gracious thought in verse.
Keep at it…
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Shail! Amy
Tilly Bud
Excellent use of the money!
Loved the last line.
Sharp Little Pencil
My husband said the same thing. And he knew I was telling the truth! Thanks, Linda. Amy
Gloria Bostic
How nice to hear of someone who would do good for others rather than just thinking of themselves. I know that I would start with paying of the mortgage….lol….but then I would love to be able to do more for my sons and their families. Ah, but it’s only a dream. Good write!
Sharp Little Pencil
I was taught quite young that being born white and straight and suburban in this country came with responsibilities – and that, if I ever became wealthy, I was expected to do a heck of a lot more! It’s my mom and grandma in me, I guess… Thanks, Gloria!
Kim Nelson
This is one of my favorite takes on the prompt, Amy. I’ve always believed that those of us with means could change the world with little government intervention, were we so inclined.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, yes, that would be the trickle down effect. It’s why we give tax breaks to billionaires! I do think for every Bill and Melinda Gates (who are generous to the nth degree but still garner tax writeoffs for their charitable giving), there are twenty or so spoiled brats who are living off their parents’ hard work, and who don’t give a hoot about the rest of us…
If I had a million… !! Thanks for a salient comment, there, Kim.
ladynimue
Good thoughts !
I guess i would want to give a share to my mother .. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, she’s earned it – all our moms have. We artists can be a handful to raise! Amy
neil reid
Ah, and wouldn’t I even delight in paying taxes, support the national army if only their goal was to go flying off, lend a capable hand wherever there was a genuine need (healing a wound rather than making one), like Katrina, like Japan, like it’s all so obvious where and when. Wouldn’t that be a hoot! Such ability, such riches we already have, but poorly spent.
A much enjoyable poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, I didn’t even go there, Neil, because the bile rises in my throat. We have all the money in the world for the Pentagon to bomb civilians to smithereens, but not enough money for the universal health care ALL other industrialized nations enjoy. I share your feelings on this.
Thanks for stopping, and SOLIDARITY FOREVER! Amy