A TOAST, TO YOU GENTLEMEN OF GREED

I

Since it’s gold it all amounts to

Why surrender what surrounds you?

Feel unease – with me around you? 

This poor shadow of a ghost

Pray, allow him be your host

Though my prayer is lost on most

Here I stand and raise a toast

Doubting that my words are likely to astound you

 

 

II

With the weapons you are shaking

Self-made rules for moneymaking

Margins fattened by the takings

All is subject to your grid

Questions kicked beneath the lid

I was mute before you did

Since your ears can’t hear my bid

Above the sounds of cash that you are raking

 

III

You exploit the earth at random

And when it’s been abandoned

It’s its ruins that we stand on

Who is that you try to reach

With the mumble that you preach

And the mercy you beseech

For the frauds, that special niche

In the games you’re so astute at playing hands-on

(… continued …)