Disconsolate

Disconsolate

Ascending the skyscrapers
in the top end of town
to offices where each day
the monopoly deeds are done.
Where dwells the state's power
to plan, punish, pollute and persecute
making misery global.

Here the compliant take their orders,
push the buttons,
make the calls,
process the papers,
and do the deals,
the instruments of capital.

In this new world,
the standards are set,
power, order and work are god.
So leave your conscience at the door,
it won't be needed any more,
just do your job,
for there's work to be done
controlling the poor.

What a terrible toll,
with so much given up,
by so many, so easily,
and for so little in return.
So much now lost to a torrent of
technological and social change,
and all for capital's gain
and a more powerful state.

Steven Katsineris

From GLW issue 301