from a personal poetical exploration of
thich nhat hanh's 14 precepts

fifth precept: living simply

Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need. 

whew -

fallin' asleep tryin' to work
I find that sleepiness
fought
(if not wrong diet)
is lack of inspriation
which i found doing my laundry
as much as I depend on computers
I'm coming not to like washing machines
kneading my clothes in a sink is fun
I come back looking for thich nhat hanh to back me up
on personal labour
whole system ethic
wear your clothes, wash them
be aware of your dirt
and the work required to keep you clean
i find his precepts
they all start with not or nothing
but the third sentence in the fifth precept leads me forward:
"live simply..."
that others may live
the second half of that precept sentence fulfilled
by swarthmore
our ethic is solid
like the fifth precept and the fourth precept
recall quakerism
both awareness and action on behalf
of
the less fortunate
the suffering
those without a fieldhouse
and an arboretum

this is concretely the kensington welfare rights union
sleeping for tent city
and the student dance-a-thon next semester
"share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need"
so sayeth the fifth
and some Swarthmore students

thinking again of myself
how must I act to ensure proper aim of my life
bear in mind social justice
I who have been born so wealthy

must share above all else.

fourth | interbeing | sixth