What is "POVERTY " ?

Poverty is my friend,
My friend from ages,
My friend from cages,
Poverty my friend.

                                  Poverty is my partner,
                                  My partner in crime,
                                  My partner in rhyme,
                                  Poverty my partner.

Poverty is my companion,
My companion in food,
My companion in hood and brood,
Poverty my companion.

                                  Poverty is my mate,
                                  My mate in darkness,
                                  My mate in lightness,
                                  Poverty my mate.

Poverty is my comrade,
My comrade in tatters,
My comrade in shatters,
Poverty my comrade.

                                 Poverty is my soul mate,
                                 My soulmate in sadness,
                                 My soulmate in happiness,
                                 Poverty my soul mate.

Poverty is my life,
My life at dawn,
My life at dusk,
Poverty my life.