ABOUT THE POEM: This poem contrasts two worlds that judge a man by different rules. In youth, worth is measured by talent, intelligence, confidence, and presence—things that cannot be bought. Later, society reduces value to money alone. The speaker experiences both systems and discovers a harsh truth: even when wealth is gained, the person behind it is ignored. The poem argues that poverty is not just lack of money, but the erasure of character, effort, and inner richness in a world obsessed with price tags.Title – Value of a Man
Until twenty-three,
I lived in a college world
where a man’s value was measured
by style, intelligence,
personality, and looks.
I was alpha, beta, gamma-
perhaps delta too.
I was Ronie of the college:
rich in thought that sparked debate,
presence that turned heads,
ideas that led and lingered-
currencies that ruled there.
Then I returned home without a degree
and entered another world-
one where everything has a price
and I had nothing to pay.
I stood at the bottom of the food chain,
worth measured only by pocket size.
Merit meant nothing.
Even later, when I filled my pockets
and every cavity of my body
with money and gold,
they valued only the currency-
never the man.
Obligated to return the investment,
I gave it all away to family.
I arrived rich in everything
that costs nothing
and learned
poverty has many currencies.
Pettiness glorified
as valuing money.
A clean heart declared worthless.
Humans do not see another as human-
they keep the change
and refuse the man.
Loneliness levies interest
on every discarded man.
Whatever remained,
they deducted
for the inevitable loneliness tax.
