The Mystery of Banking

The bank has ten billion this year,

But the money is surely not here—

It’s been quite lent away,

Pending some future day,

So it’s only a promise , that’s clear.

Is it borrowers then with their share

Who have the bank’s money to spare?

Nope!  They’ve spent it all,

To get profits next fall,

So the money is clearly not there.

One may begin wondering where

Is this something not here and not there—

There’s a ten billion list,

But does money exist?

Such thoughts only lead to despair.

                             Alex J. Pollock, c. 1970