Enough

In the family of “Is there enough?”
money plays hide and seek,
food travels by foot, 
arriving when it can.
Dinnertime stretches 
like grandma’s back.
Can you still touch your toes? 
(Read: Will there be any left for me?)
  
Mom asks about winter clothes.
Anything need mending? 
Should she take a second job? 
Someone slaps your hand.
You’re eating too much again. 
Maybe you’re old enough to work.
Pull your own hefty weight.
  
This is where it begins.
Where you first meet deprivation,
where feeling inadequate becomes a habit,
and compulsive behaviors are born:
Every hour must be productive.
Every day, buy something new.
Eat lunch like you missed breakfast again.
Drink the guilt of poverty.
  
When will enough be enough? 

-Katherine Gotthardt