The Opium of the Age

Hear the terror in nine words
that can bend the knees of the strongest
and put the fiercest to flight.

Give ear to an idea so abominable
some would rather sell their soul
than act on these words.

“Sell all you have and give to the poor.”

Money, not religion, the opium of our age,
circles like an anaconda.
Let go and be free, or be crushed.

“Sell all you have and give to the poor.”

See the widow give her all.
See the rich give little to ease the mind
as quietly as the snake squeezes the soul.

Singing in the choir, Bible lifted high,
he who will not cut the snake’s throat
will be devoured and surely die.

Money, the opium, an irresistible craving.
Capitalism, the virtuous veil, hiding
the heart’s true master.

If money rules, the thief will steal,
corruption will eat away,
and the soul will die.

–by Brian Oxley