Welcome to My Poetry Site
Past Predictions; Present Realities*
One hundred forty-two years ago--
Back in 1873--
Observing trends, editorialists shared
The scary future that they could foresee.
"Individual enterprise will accomplish everything"
Became a popular maxim of the day,
Which meant that the system conceived by our original
Statesmen was something becoming passé.
As leaders merely became office-holders,
The situation was looking bleaker;
As "giant enterprises" grew much stronger,
The efficiency of our government grew much weaker.
The critics felt that our rulers would become
Far too inefficient to restrain
The aggressive power of the corporations
And the rights of the American people would wane.
In American society the corporations
Would become the wealthy, privileged "class,"
And a "feudal" system exacting service
Would consequently come to pass.
This "disguised warfare" with the American government
Way back then was causing anxiety,
As wealth and power worked against
The wishes and interests of American society.
Things have really not changed much, have they?
While corporations keep growing stronger,
We and our politicians are pawns
In a game we should NOT want to play any longer.
(4-10-15)
*Based on a May 1873 editorial in THE NATION
Back in 1873--
Observing trends, editorialists shared
The scary future that they could foresee.
"Individual enterprise will accomplish everything"
Became a popular maxim of the day,
Which meant that the system conceived by our original
Statesmen was something becoming passé.
As leaders merely became office-holders,
The situation was looking bleaker;
As "giant enterprises" grew much stronger,
The efficiency of our government grew much weaker.
The critics felt that our rulers would become
Far too inefficient to restrain
The aggressive power of the corporations
And the rights of the American people would wane.
In American society the corporations
Would become the wealthy, privileged "class,"
And a "feudal" system exacting service
Would consequently come to pass.
This "disguised warfare" with the American government
Way back then was causing anxiety,
As wealth and power worked against
The wishes and interests of American society.
Things have really not changed much, have they?
While corporations keep growing stronger,
We and our politicians are pawns
In a game we should NOT want to play any longer.
(4-10-15)
*Based on a May 1873 editorial in THE NATION
