That’s Rich

so it appears

the wealthier you get

the harder it becomes

at least for some

to empathize with others

particularly with pedestrians

who slow down the endeavor

ordinary folks who want only

to be as the creator left them

oligarchs draped in the

plebian attire of

the good shepherd

set a pack

of rabid hounds

upon the flesh

of sleeping sheep

to cull the flock

for the hell of it

destroy the earth

and the imperfect good

with each step

in a compulsive quest

in a vain attempt at glory

cut a devil’s bargain

with charlatans and quacks

who claim to have

insights and the inside track

who believe they

can do no wrong

on the journey

to buy the throne

with other people’s money

rich homo sapiens

who aspire to heaven

and invoke god's name

in a futile attempt

to separate earth and sky

and crumble the cathedral

who dig tunnels

in the bedrock

of the planet to find

the elements to build

an artificial life

is it not the case

that most of these endeavor

in the name of progress

only to enlarge their stake

to substitute wealth

for leadership

and what's left

when it's over

a face synonymous

with cruelty

for no other sake

a name

that reeks of

perfidy

a few surviving

monkeys

eating fruit

in dying trees

a mother's

enduring love

for an

abomination

the silent

twinkle

of un

approach

able

stars