in perpetuity

““If thou art rich, thou art poor; for, like an ass, whose back with
ingots bows, thou bearest thy heavy riches but a journey, and
death unloads thee.”—William Shakespeare

to know the right and yet do wrong
differs the weak man from the strong.
cleaving the dark and slighting light
homages error over right.
loathing to love and loving hate
martyrs the stranger at your gate.
pursuits of plunder and of war
fashions of peace a deadly scar.
injustice rules where virtue begs;
rich men piss wine, poor men drink dregs.
the pompous from his heights will fall,
the humble to his feet may crawl:
for when kings' voices lose their mirth,
the peasant, in his pray'r, finds worth.
him that to self spares time to die
will live in perpetuity.

© Copyright 2021 November 10
by Clyve A. Bowen♫