We Americans are living lives of gluttony. We spend more than we have and take more than we need, and then wonder why our banks and manufacturers and governments are failing for lack of wealth. Our lifestyle has far exceeded our abilities, and now we must face the realization that the solution to our economic hardship is not going to come from more spending and more bailouts, but, rather, from frugality. This suffering is not an evil to be suppressed. It is the necessary fruit of our extravagance and the symptom of a much greater sickness, and, until we address that, we shall never recover the state of health and vigor we once possessed.
Babylon
The wild ones of Babylon
are dancing in the street
to strains that scatter fuel on
the fire in their feet.
They caper for a hollow death
and celebrate their sin;
they reckon on a rotten breath
to whisper illness in.
And who are we to crucify
the raptures of the crowd?
When all, alike, are born to die,
then let us die aloud.
This hunger is our happiness;
baptize us not content,
till all the wealth we've born is less
than all the wealth we've spent.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
De Mé
- Cartesian Quies
- Poesis archaica non cum ruboré.
Volve Cubi
Pittacii
- Nonces (147)
- Sonnets (34)
- Vers Libres (5)
2 comments:
"Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept when we remembered Sion."--Psalm 137,1. Until we remember why we are here on this Earth, and Who placed us here, we must return again and again to our tears: those tears which are truly another gift from His merciful Hand to help us recollect that apart from Him our lives will be endlessly empty, try as we may to fill them otherwise.
This is a glorious poem, but there are several scandalous euphemisms, Mr. Newhall. What HAVE you been up to lately...?
Post a Comment