Fourth Thursday in Lent

“And he said to them, "How many loaves have you? Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fish." Mark 6:38

so tight-fisted
we will drive to five
different stores in order
to use that $1 off coupon,
stopping along the to refill our car
because the tank is almost empty.
so miserly
we will pull out our devices
so we can calculate
the exact gratuity our server
should get for caring for us
for over an hour (and not
one penny more than
is flashing on our screen).
watching us, you shake
your head, asking,
‘how many is too many,
how much is too much,
how empty do you think
your privilege leaves you
before you notice how scarce
the lives are around you?’

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo:@Thom-Shuman