Everyone's heard of Easy Street,
And many would like living there
If only that place really existed;
Some people believe a facile life
Must be the key to any true joy,
But when will they finally learn
That it only goes downhill from here?
I hail from the ugly other side;
Hardship Avenue is my residence
Where neighbors share struggles,
Not a vision of how things could be
For they know better than to dream
Big fantasies that would yield riches;
Even children dare not to think better
Fame and fortune are for the few
Ordained to receive such pleasures,
Although they're better off financially
Spirituality with them shall suffer;
Wealth condemns a person's inner soul
Often forgotten are important aspects
Laying outside the rich man's scope
Sacrifice and turmoil are what I know
Living in a state of constant poverty;
But these are lessons all must learn
If planning to survive harsh reality,
Especially since most are not to receive
The cursed blessings of material wealth;
Many will still fare better without.
Author notes
This is in answer to the idea of having an "Easy Street"... enjoy, and feel free to comment.
Written July 21st, 2003
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The treality of poverty strikes us hard at this moment. I have never been finacially rich byt I am rich in joy and accepting who I am and why I am here. Your poem tocuhes on some ideals that I truly do align myself with. There is depth here. There is an acyuallity that many can attest to in thses words. An excellent poem for your first post. Thank you for this entry and I wish you the best in this challenge.
Please add your screen name to the author's notes. Thanks!
Much Love Always ♥
Renee
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In my life there has never been an easy street only hard knocks and truth or concequences. Very well written poem and a good flow. So when are you going to let me know you got back safe ??
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I have heard about Easy Street all my life, but never been on it. Actually, like you I don't believe there is such a thing except maybe for a select few. Very good poem my friend. I really had to go way back to find this one. It is the first one that you ever posted here.
Deke -
From hardship lots of values are learned. I guess that when all come too easily to us, we end taking life for granted.
To really fight for what we want, makes all taste so much better
This is a very wise poem Aurora.
Kisses,
Mari
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A very profound write. I enjoyed the wisdoms from beginning to end. The word choices were strong and the message clear. Beautiful write!
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most excellant
Oh ETIQ!! I love this!!
I was born, bred and quite possibley will die on Hardship Avenue
and your message is so true-- so many people things they can buy somehow makes them 'worthy' or better-- but I say a person who has never had to struggle-- doesn't know what I know in my spirit-- they traded spirit's evolving for material comforts... that they can't take with them when their time here is done 
but wht your spirit learns can never be taken away....In the end, with me, when I make my choices-- I choose what is gonna benefit me eternally 
oh... and one more thing.... the Easy Street is the road to destruction... *DISCLAIMER
erm... ya know I had to write all that cuz deep inside I'm really just jealous of those with more than me 
I just love this write!!
much love to you, my friend!!
<---- for you
stephanie -
Wow, this poem is really deep. I'm still reeling. Your vocabulary is astounding - I wish I could work those kind of words into my work. For example - the word "facile": I didn't even know that word was in the English language (although I knew the meaning from French and Spanish). Also, a word like "ordained." Not that it's a high-vocabulary word, but it's something that most of us wouldn't use in everyday speech, which adds a great deal to this poem. I look forward to reading some of your other poems. Great job.
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This was like reading a very educational Column. I have always been a firm believer that you can never truely enjoy things in life until you have worked to acheive those goals and have fallen on your face a few times along the way. I struggle at times being that I was one of four kids and the only girl...we had nothing our 'treats' was a slice of bread with sugar on it, now I am a mom and I am able to give my daughter everything I never had and have to hold back....It is a greater joy to watch her earn her place in the world. I love coming back to the first writes of poets it is always interesting to see where they started and she how they have grown. Although I don't read this like a poem I think your spirit shines just as much as your new writes although your new writes scream of beauty..pain..and strength.
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So much wisdom life lessons that you know only too well.Great read and write .
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It irritates me that people think that if you ask for a small bit of help, most especially from the government, that you are in some way a degenerate, it really gets my kickstand waving to beat some arrogant heads in because I have known many people who have come from not-so-well off families and many of them good poets too.
I always thought it rather odd that people think most poets come from rich and educated backgrounds, which a lot of them do, but on the flip-side of things there are a lot of poets who spent most of their lives poor and without much to keep them from falling through the cracks but their writing, which is why I prize poetry so much , because no matter who it is, they have dedicated themselves to it, even if they don't always spend their time writing, still, they do put some time in and I think that means something more than just, "oh yeah, I write...makes good money.", yes that can be true, but being a writer is a risky venture and poverty is a very easy event to happen when you take on such a job, there is no set plan that says you will make it, even if you are the greatest writer ever, there is no set path.
I enjoy how you dive deep into the core of our economic rough spots and pull the shade out from under the difference between poor and rich, there is only a monetary line their, poetry transcends all of that.
much love,
James
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Excellent Food For Thought
Excellent, what a remarkable comparison on the avenues of life. I too have heard of easy street but unfortunately for me, I have never made residence there, for me this is the road less taken. I wouldn't quite say that I'm on hardship avenue either because what's hard for some may not be so hard for others. But, I think that if you dare to dream, then I would cast my dreams on hardship avenue. When you struggle in life, it's because you want something better for yourself and for your children. So people living on hardship avenue are the ones to dream even though they struggle with their neighbors. Dreams are what keeps us alive and offer us hope for a better tomorrow. As for the rich, they have already had their reward. And as you've said, "Spirituality with them shall suffer". Richness does not bring happiness, a poor family that works and prays together can be more happier than a rich family who has seen it all and done it all and there's nothing else for life to offer them so they eventually drown in their sorrows. Great write Raven with much to think about no matter your status in life.
Beautifully Worded,
Avril
Edited on Oct 04, 4:37 p.m. because ''. -
Yet again very good. You have such a great way with words. Everything I have read is just exploding with powerful feeling and emmotion. Thanks for the good poems to read.
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Even if there was an easy street, I would never wish to live there. Well actually there is an Easy st in Los Angeles CA, but in that is in the literal sense, those of us who do not have everything handed to us on a silver platter, know what it is like to worry about where the rent money would come from, or if there would be food for dinner. When I was growing up the choices were easy, did you want beans OR rice, served with a piece of bread of course. Life has never been easy for me, and my family has struggled for everything we have. but it is that struggle.. the fight that makes us valuable as people, knowing what it is like to work for what you have... makes us better people... or so I think.
Well written Beautiful!!!
Cris -
I like this poem. I think the message it conveys is one of material wealth not mattering as much as the wealth within a person and the emotional peace. This is a well-written piece, I like the creation of easy avenue Well done
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You took a basic concept and actually made a very interesting poem out of it, and also a beautiful way. The flow is very smooth, and the message of the poem is also true.
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Great
Another wonderful commentary on life. . . you are a very observant person and also very articulate . . . If you change you mind about singing you should go for journalism – but never give up poetry . .Albert xxx ( sorry about the kisses – but I still cant do roses LOL) -
I am making my comment here in accordance with contest rule number 3 as listed in “True Meaning of Love”
…I would have gotten here anyway, eventually. 
I thought I would find one of the earliest one that I could find and found this gem. Your meter and tempo to the piece is refreshing. I found a measured flow from beginning to end. The content is admirable;. to offer comparison from one “side of the tracks” and the other. with the compare and contrast of what is valuable and what is of little value. Excellent principles shown and well expressed. ~richard
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Very nice job!
Very nice poem! At least, I consider anything eloquently and poetically written to be a poem. I agree with the points you bring up...monkey only makes life worse in the long run. Your dissatisfaction becomes unquenchable, and you live in constant misery, squandering away your money on material wants that make you no happier. Better to work hard to succeed and be able to appreciate and be thankful for all the things you have that others may not instead of wishing for more and more. Well...that was my rant. -
'the cursed blessings of material wealth;
many will still fare better without'
brillant lines, and so very true, it is so easy to get lost and believe money and materialism can bring happiness. when only true happiness can be from the heart. another very good and interesting write. -
As my comment before, go girl!! Tell it as you see it! I could read your words forever.
TD -
Very well done and full of realism. Being the dreamer I am, I've had the dreams you speak of, yes i did dare to dream. But we had so many riches in our life, money was the only one we didn't have and we are very well off without it as a family growing up. Thanx for the great write, Conni
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A thought provoking poem this and you have made a point that the rich in material wealth are usually never spiritually enriched.And even Christ mentioned this and though I am unable to recall the exact verse offhand it does say that it would be easier for a camel to enter the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of god.lol.And I personally feel walking on hardship avenue has its own pitfalls as well.when it is a struggle to make ends meet and have a square meal it sometimes becomes a case of survival at any cost and spiritual enrichment is then not an issue at all.But all things considered I think it is probably better to walk on this side of the hardship avenue.Wealth is likely to corrupt the persons inner soul and too deep on hardship avenue can do that as well.I have walked both sides personally and my childhood was bordering on hardship avenue and that has made me a better soul I agree.But there can be exceptions from both the sides too.You have managed to portray this so beutifully and trying to maintain the balance and just leaning more towards the hardship avenue.Thank you for sharing this.
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I enjoyed this stroll along life's avenue, it was a good piece.. a bit cliched in parts but nevertheless still a good read.. thanks for sharing this
~GILL~xxx -
this is a good poem. i don't know anybody who lives on easy street. and if they say they are, then i say they are lying. everyone has hardships they go through. even if they are the richest person, something still gives them hell. i dunno if thats what this is about, but thats what i got from it. good job. very good write.
aaron -
I always enjoy reading your works, they are great
From experience of both worlds the "easy street" may give you more but "hardship avenue" really does build the character and I had more joys and pains there than the later. For some reason I liked it more. As they say "money doesnt always buy happiness"
I liked the point of this. So different than all the rest. I really liked it. It showed what the real world thinks. The celebrities may be in the limelight but they dont have one thing we have....
a real life
Great job, so true
Maryke
Edited on Nov 01, 1:47 because ''. -
I like this, it's the truth for a lot of people. I think I live on both sides of the street, sometimes life is easy, sometimes not. Maybe it's because I cannot let myself get too down because it's too dangerous for me. I liked this a lot you did yourself proud.
~*destiny*~
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Yes! Bravo. You must read my poem The one flower still alive. If life would be easy no one would lear a thing. You have to stuggle to enjoy the little things. You know what I mean? I wish you nothing but the best!
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Now thats my side of the tracks!! I live at No 9 at the inter section of Uphill Drive & The long road. Your soul is rich you will never be poor. Some children find thier own way out, but they remember thier Roots. my door is always locked, its the neighbourhood you know
I feel free!!
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I rather live the way I am living than have to live with all the money and not be happy. money is the root all evil.
Yvonne
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Ya know...this is the absolute truth. SOMETIMES people who have no worries or cares forget what really matters. They don't know that
they are living in there reward here, and if they don't seek Truth they will not make it through Heavens doors.
I really enjoyed this message so eloquently written.
Excellent insight and very well written.
Sam
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I think I would much rather be a little financially strained than be rich. When someone is rich... everything is right there in front of them, nothing has to be worked for. Anyways, though, I love the idea this poem shared. It's a new way to look at things, I think. Thanks for the comment on my poem. Keep up the interesting writes.
~Renay -
Cool! A lot of truth in this. Sacrificing, sticking together, pooling resources together, brings families and communities together.
Excellent write!
Marcellus -
Very good.
Strong and to the point. Very well written.
These two lines I find very easy to understand and I agree with them.
Spirituality with them shall suffer;
Wealth condemns a person's inner soul
Material wealth can do some strange things to people. I have seen it first hand. -
Good
Poverty is in the mind. If you can get along with just what you need and not hunger for what you want, life would be a lot easier. I am not rich financially, but I am rich in friendship and love. Everyday is a struggle for me financially, but I am a happy man for I still manage a living and still can do soem thing for the other. We all have problems and without problems life will never be interesting or exciting.
Love from India _ Poet Raja - -
Easy Street! hmm, give me the directions..I will see if I find it...but I would rather hold on to the little things in life...even if you have to stuggle through life...the rewards are large...nice words...much meaning..thanks for sharing
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emotionally charged
I understand you anger. I was raised spot to spot with no home structure until highschool. I do believe however if you have enuff faith in your talent and your beliefs that your sacfrifices will be paid in full. -
Well sis, you already know that I adore this poem. But, I will say it again for the benefit of everyone else. I LOVE THIS POEM!!!
Ok, sorry about that. Back to the poem... this is simply amazing, even better the second time reading it. Great Job!- Josh
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Groovy
This piece didn't really reach out to me. It makes sense and is well written but it just doesn't reach out and grab my attention, or interest.
Kali -
this was awesome! i loved it. you shouldnt at have put it in the shameless thingy. i loved this. and i urge others to read this. ill try to read some more of your stuff later! well ttyl.
-fadedshadow0 -
The poem is hardly 'cute'. But I thought it was cool how everyone's heard of 'Easy Street', and how you've created 'Hardship Avenue.' Very nicely written. Keep 'em coming!
!~*YS4e*~!
Scarlett
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