By Liam Kadel
Context:
At the Student Blog, this batch of articles has the theme of redemption. I had been reading some T.S. Eliot for my English class; so considering this prompt, I was inspired to write this poem about the divide between social classes. This is written from the perspective of a billionaire tycoon who got his fortune in a way that hurt many people. Rather than redeeming himself by sacrificing his luxurious lifestyle, he continues to unfairly burden the people under him. The billionaire convinces himself and the public that he earned his fortune, despite his employees doing the majority of the labor.
Yes, I must be so correct to think
My head is on straight
Walk with me up to the penthouse
Up the spiral staircase
Through the hoops and rings of fire
Tongues of flame akin to liars’
It’s not hard at all to be a gymnast
When the finest are the thinnest
To dine upon the fruit of Eden
Planted on my payroll
From my balcony I call,
Hello down there!
In the thousands they gather
Applauding at my gall
Possessed by me, I have the rest
Stymied; I digress, this was in jest
I would not associate with
The lowly feeble-minded populace
Don’t you see?
From my balcony I call,
In quiet spirits with my kindred
Speaking of the words I said
Actions contrasting with the fears of the dead
Mother, I entreat you to forgive
The high life, the richest luxuries
That I so do wish to live
But not to give
Nay, it is I that bears the burden
But she heard these words and made herself aloof
Well, fine it is then
I seek not to justify any reason why
I should not seek to help the weary
Bleary eyes misted and teary
Why should I care for the stares
I am healthy, I am beautiful
While the poor are rich in sugar made
In factories I’ve funded and saved
On craven paths that I have paved
That lead the sheep into the slaughter
Fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters
Pushed down into poverty
Drowning in the rising seas
That boil on my soiled stove
On which I cook my plastic dinners
I awake at 4 o’clock and work out
Watch the sunrise and I plan my day out
What shall I accomplish?
Soon you will see that I am this age’s Christ
Though those I’ve employed shall die upon the cross
The masses will remember it as my own sacrifice
