Because we are here now
facing each other,
listening to the music
we are submissive-or brave
Because we stand up and speak aloud
to show another view,
we abort our own conception
by consent-or dissent
Because we fret and dodge regret
ruts are dead set, circuits carry currents
direct, a dexterity of pre-determined design
connected by linear contact-or experience
Because stasis ensures us
and the foreseen guarantees us
safety in numbers, with all the fish in the sea
our place is secured in parsimony
Because Things don’t change, instead We rearrange
our conception, our perception-a deception
based on learned History, founded on prophesy
we perverse possibility-or reverse responsibility
Because the incentive is steep
Regret is shallow
Because the chances are scarce
Retribution is the final reward.
Image of cover publication "The Masses", c. 1916 By E. Higgins [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
Poem inscribed on bottom left corner reads:
Revolution
Anyone can write Revolution-Revolution
is written
By pale young men with the new conven-
tional mind;
Though it causes, indeed, no such havoc 'mid
humankind
As Samson's did when the Philistines were
smitten.
It is easy to preach-Revolution-Revolution
in pink reviews,
Or flourish a Phrygian cap from the top of a
steeple;
But if ever it came to an uprising of the people,
How many pale poets would stand in the leaders
shoes?
-William Rose Benet
Image of cover publication "The Masses", c. 1916 By E. Higgins [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
Poem inscribed on bottom left corner reads:
Revolution
Anyone can write Revolution-Revolution
is written
By pale young men with the new conven-
tional mind;
Though it causes, indeed, no such havoc 'mid
humankind
As Samson's did when the Philistines were
smitten.
It is easy to preach-Revolution-Revolution
in pink reviews,
Or flourish a Phrygian cap from the top of a
steeple;
But if ever it came to an uprising of the people,
How many pale poets would stand in the leaders
shoes?
-William Rose Benet
