Poverty in a Capitalist Society

I have a day off today. 

I don't get to do the fun things I want to do to relax. 

I don't get to work on things that are time sensitive. 

I don't get to work on things that could make me some extra money. 

I have to hand wash and hang my laundry,

Because we cannot afford to fix the appliances.

I have to make more soap,

Just so I can do my dishes.

Because I cannot afford to remove bugs from my house,

And never want to go through all of that stress and embarrassment ever again.

I'm almost out of toothpaste and shampoo. 

I hope I have the supplies to make more.

I cannot afford to buy them if I run out.

I'm almost out of laundry soap too.

These things take time and planning. 

These are things I have learned to do to survive. 

If I have a job interview on Tuesday

I need to know by Sunday,

just so my laundry will be dry.

If I need to do Laundry on Sunday I need to know that

I am out of soap

By Friday. 

When Am I supposed to apply for better jobs?

When all my time and energy

Are spent doing basic things

Others take for granted.