An Urban Fable
Posted: January 28th, 2008, 3:12 am
The homeless man
was the one who didn't rob or steal
but, respecting property,
only asked, from those who did,
for a bit of bread, a coin, a meal.
This appeal
was met with derision and scorn.
This, you must learn,
taking your lessons in turn
from the man who didn't steal
or rob or kill or maim
but simply failed to play the game.
He asked you for a bit of bread
that you'd throw out instead
of being burden with preservation
and, without reservation,
pass him by
without looking once in the eye,
as if, he were dead.
Now, he is dead,
and no more bread for him,
no coin for you, your credit cards
work on Madison Avenue
and the audio-retinal retinue
is all you care for.
And, so, therefore . . .
was the one who didn't rob or steal
but, respecting property,
only asked, from those who did,
for a bit of bread, a coin, a meal.
This appeal
was met with derision and scorn.
This, you must learn,
taking your lessons in turn
from the man who didn't steal
or rob or kill or maim
but simply failed to play the game.
He asked you for a bit of bread
that you'd throw out instead
of being burden with preservation
and, without reservation,
pass him by
without looking once in the eye,
as if, he were dead.
Now, he is dead,
and no more bread for him,
no coin for you, your credit cards
work on Madison Avenue
and the audio-retinal retinue
is all you care for.
And, so, therefore . . .