my grandma
*Farmor*
would brew her daily ration
in the morning
then re-heat
all day long

involuntary
simplicity

my father
*Pappa*
grew up with rations
too small
to feed his growing
body

involuntary
simplicity

it never mattered
the steady job
higher education
big paycheck
sponky car

to this day
he is looking for the
best deal
in town

for a decade
newly retired
living with his lovely lady
on 300 square feet
in France
long before
“tiny house”
was a concept

I grew up with
deeply rooted
frugality
involuntary
simplicity

and incredibly grateful
for learning early on
that happiness
is not
to be found
in accumulation
of things

turning me around
finding ease by simplifying
finding happiness
inside

choosing a different life
choosing a low footprint
choosing to give
priority
to what brings
real meaning
not things