by LJ Frank
beguiled by a fertile tale
rooted in an ancient proverb
adapted nicely into a belief system –
devotion to an invisible Awe
to gain the world and lose the soul
is rather ambiguous
in today’s currency
for the money plate beckons
with a gospel of prosperity
and even when tasks are insufficient to survive
add another job for shelter, food, and conscience
Elijah was fed by ravens
countless openings exist
but keep in mind
signs on the front door, grass, and pavement
are mostly political statements
reality is an engine of a different vehicle,
for countless applications are archived –
insufficient skill set, age, personality, looks or whatever
and the ever present – too smart for this job,
or comments on social media set the stage
while others sit on their hands,
but if you’re willing to work for minimum wage
or less,
survival can be achieved when combined
with something else – like driving a semi-truck.
And occasionally the music intercedes –
a Martini, Manhattan, or Syrah
cavorting in a District of Columbia bar
while others sit in front of their local computer
with inclinations that perhaps all is a lie
so, dreams of the pocket listings and a yacht at the marina
are but carrots at the end of a prickly stick
knowing full well that the grateful alive are connected
with the appropriate networks in place.
The politician salaciously grins and murmurs
money and more money for the deserved life
while the aging thoroughbred sips bourbon
and regales his comrades that his home
is surrounded by bluegrass fed horses
the specialist enters a code
aligning the digital files in another state of being
with informed consent
and the skirts and zippers, part
the spread sheet is now open
the transfer begins
people enjoying others’ earnings
and publishing them as secrets
the best sellers are placed in a technicolor setting
and wealth winks and sings an alternate tune.
the patriot chokes up with tears
the soul’s tithing is near at hand
as the ministers of noblesse oblige retreat
to their heavens on Earth
while assessing the moral leanings of society
frolicking on a thong crowded sandy beach
but as any missionary knows
eye contact is best for eye contact,
though dominance prefers
the style of a dog
what else is there to do
when you’re not sufficiently productive
under the prevailing system of economic justice,
as entertainment can be costly even on a gridiron
regardless, it’s best to use a sheath
for the mushroomed brain
inhaling and exhaling numbers
while a conductor of sorts waves his ink pen
and the spirited figure in the street
dances to a jazz ballet yet to be written.
