Take It Seriously

They told us that in a few months
we would all be on our own
we would all be making money
on our own, every day.
Take it seriously, they said
because if you don't
you'll be broke
and you'll have nothing.
Learn to budget, they said
because if you don't
you'll be broke
and you'll have nothing.
And half of us snickered
and half of us pondered.
I didn't laugh
because my biggest fear
is having nothing
and being nothing
and I took it seriously.