People find it weird that I have given my royalties away as a famous writer
They wonder why I want to live like a poor man in a cold home
I have kept enough so I can smoke my cigarettes and cigars
I have kept enough so I can go to a café and drink fine coffee
I have kept enough so I can order many kinds of takeout’s every night
They think I suffer but I really don’t
Unlike the side of the world I have been helping out
I have sent them over water
I have sent them over food
I have made sure they have fresh clothes
I have made sure they have shelter
By doing this I have started a war with the wrong people
They stood in front of me with a hundred guns pointed at me
I told them that if they do anything to the progress we have made shoot me now
It wasn’t a violent protest or speech
It was as peaceful as Ghandi
They backed away
These hungry and powerful fuckers are messing with the wrong soul
These hungry and powerful fuckers are messing with the wrong poet
I haven’t done it for fame
I haven’t done it for fortune
I haven’t done it to be loved
I have done it for the right reason
Because it was the right thing to do
Because enough has been enough
There was no god speaking to me
There was no angels talking to me
I did it because I was human
If that means my writing room bulbs burn out
If that means my notepads fill up like a bible
Then that is what needs to be done
And I know if you have a soul in your heart
You would also do it
I’m pretty sure you know what it is like to be poor
I’m pretty sure you have experienced it once
Were there was no food in your cupboards
Or no fresh nappies to change your babies bum
But someone or a few helped you out of that situation
So every one of you are my babies
You are my souls
And if you need me
You will find me with every small cry from your despair
And I will always be here like an infinite star
Not even a god would ruin a love like that
Paul Butterfield Jr